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The Frozen Trail 



A DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS 



BY 



GEORGE M. ROSENER 







DICK & FITZGERALD 

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18 Ann Street, New York 


























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THE FROZEN TRAIL 



ft SDrama in four ftctg 



By GEORGE M. ROSENER 

AUTHOR OF COAST FOLKS, SLEEPY HOLLOW, IRISH EDEN, SHERIFF 
OF TUCKAHOE, RELATIONS, ETC., ETC. 



Copyright, 1910 by Dick & Fitzgerald 



# 



NEW YORK 

DICK & FITZGERALD 

l8 ANN STREET 






I* 



r 






©ClD 24753 



Note. — The acting rights of this play are expressly re- 
served by the publishers to whom theatrical managers who 
wish to produce it should apply. Amateur representation 
may be made without such application and without charge. 

THE FEOZEN TKAIL. 



CHARACTERS. 

Dr. Jack Moore The road-agent 

Cedrtc Rand .A wanderer 

Tom Starkie A prospector 

Joe Starkie His brother 

Capt. Walker A trapper and miner 

Cross Fox_ 

Hon". Thos. Seers An ex-congressman 

Bishop Rand's butler 

Mrs. Rand Cedric's mother 

Helen Seers Daughter of Hon, Thos. Seers 

Alaska Daughter of Cross Fox and proprietress of 

" The Last Chance." 

Note. — Thos. Seers can be doubled by Joe Starkie, and 
Bishop by Capt. Walker. 

Time of Playing. — Two and one-half hours. 



SYNOPSIS. 



Act I. — Interior of " The Last Chance," Northern Alaska. 
Cross Fox asleep. Arrival of Jack Moore, a medical 
student. Capt. Walker recites to Jack the history of the 
road-agent, Jack O'Diamonds. Why Joe never made love to 
Alaska. Rand saves Tom's life and receives in return a 
sworn oath to reciprocate under any conceivable condition. 
Cross Fox rifles Jack's pockets. His attempt to show up 
Jack O'Diamonds foiled by Alaska. Cedric's love for 
Alaska and Alaska's devotion to Jack. 

Act II. — Same as Act I. Three months later. Cross Fox's 
inhumanity to Joe. Made to obey by Tom. Jack in the 
grip of fever becomes insane. For self-protection Capt. 
Walker fells Jack. Rand brings good news and learns of 
Jack's love for Alaska. The quarrel. The death of Tom 
attributed to Jack. Departure of Jack and Cross Fox. 



4 The Frozen Trail. 

Act III. — Home of Mrs. Kand at Hastings, New York. 
Eighteen months later. Mr. Seers calls upon Mrs. Rand. 
Cedric and Helen visit the circus. Tom refers to Cedric 
having saved his life. Mr. Seers' ardent admiration of 
Mrs. Eand. Cedric learns from Alaska of her marriage 
to Jack Moore. Jack accused by Tom as being responsible 
for Joe's death. Alaska overhears the accusation and Tom's 
threat. Eand promises to save Jack, providing Alaska 
agrees to certain conditions. Tom writes the letter of with- 
drawal. Alaska's return. Jack at the door. The tell-tale 
cloak. Jack's anger. Cross Fox again. He confesses to 
the murder of Joe. Death of Cross Fox. 

Act IV. — Same as Act III. A few days later. Helen 
worried about her father. Seers obtains Cedric's consent 
to the marriage. Tom and Helen engaged. The duel. 
Final reconciliation. 

CHARACTERISTICS, COSTUMES, ETC. 

Jack Moore. Just a man. Age about 30. 

Cedric Eand. Another man. Age about the same. 

Tom Starkie. A man, a good fellow and a brother. Age 
about 25. 

Joe Starkie. Tom's weak and sickly brother. Age 
about 30. 

Cross Fox. An Indian. Age about 60. 

Thos. Seers. An ardent old wooer. Age about 55. 

Capt. Walker. Trapper, miner, man. Age about 50. 

Bishop. Butler. Age about 35. 

Mrs. Eand. A mother and companion. Age about 50. 

Helen Seers. A young girl of our day. Age about 20. 

Alaska. The daughter of a white mother and an Indian 
chief, the last of a noble race, possessing the virtues and 
good looks of the former combined with the pride and bear- 
ing of the latter. A combination of true womanhood, love 
and constancy. 

All male characters in Acts I and II wear colored woolen 
shirts, heavy vests, high lace boots, fur caps, mittens and 
mackinaws. Cross Fox is dressed like others in addition 
he wears a bright piece of cloth about his forehead to hold 
back his long hair. He carries his cap and mittens all 
through the act in his pocket and wears them only when 
he exits to exterior. All male characters in Act I carry 
revolvers and hunting knives with the exception of Cross 



The Frozen Trail. 5 

Fox who carries a knife only. In Act II they all show 
the strain they are under and the hardships they have 
undergone by the drawn and sallow expression of their faces 
and the neglected appearance of their hair and beards. 

In Act I Alaska wears a medium length woolen skirt, a 
waist of the same material and a bow tie. Her boots are 
the same pattern as worn by the men. At her entrance she 
wears fur cap, mittens and mackinaw which she removes as 
soon as she is on the stage. In regard to make up for 
Alaska it is well to bear in mind that she is a half breed 
and an ingenue make-up would be entirely out of the 
character. 

In Act III all characters are in evening dress with the 
exceptions of Cross Fox whose costume is the same as Act I 
and Bishop who wears the regulation butler's livery. 

In Act IV all characters are in afternoon attire. 

Moore, Rand and Tom Starkie should be played, as 
straight strong men of will power and strong characters. 
Tom Starkie has in his composition a dominant sense of 
humor and is played in the last two acts with a more or less 
light comedy air. Joe Starkie must be played with infinite 
care. It is a character that can be easily overdone. He 
must appear to the audience as pathetic and manly, his 
will then be a beautiful and novel part. If overdone it at 
once becomes common place and uninteresting. Care also 
must be taken with Moore in Act II. Do not make him 
too declamatory or ranty at the beginning or the effect 
intended will be lost at the climax. An idea of the other 
characters is easily gained by reading the play. 

All characters entering from the outside during Act II 
are covered with snow. 

At the opening of the door from the outside during Acts 
I and II the wind effect becomes more distinct and dies off as 
the door closes. It is well to have one man stationed for 
this effect alone. 

Another good effect when possible is to have the lights 
flicker when the door is opened and closed in Acts I and II. 
This effect is gained by quickly raising and lowering the 
dimmers on both border and foot lights a few points. 

During Act I it is not snowing but Act II takes place 
during a heavy snow storm. A very simple and effective 
piece of stage craft can here be worked by having the 
window set in lightly and have it rattle all during the act 
at various intervals. 



6 The Frozen Trail. 

During Acts I and II a novel piece of l Business' can 
be worked. Have a strong black thread attached to the 
blankets and hides about the walls and when the door from 
the exterior is opened and closed these can be made to 
sway as if in the draught. 

The above effects are given for the benefit of the producer 
should he desire to make an elaborate production. It will be 
found that the play goes excellently well without them, yet 
with their addition, which is easily obtained, the effect is 
bound to be startling and realistic. 

At no time after Capt. Walker turns down the lamps in 
Act I are the lights more than three-quarters up. Dur- 
ing this and Act II a semi dim atmosphere must be 
maintained, care must be taken that the scene is not too 
dim so as to kill the expression of the actors, an item 
often overlooked. 



INCIDENTAL PROPERTIES. 

Act I. — Tobacco and papers for Eand, Strong and Fox. 
Fountain pen for Alaska. Revolvers and hunting knives 
for all characters. Knife only for Cross Fox. Diamond 
Ring for Moore. Mail bag containing several letters and 
newspapers for Cross Fox. Newspaper on table to be torn 
to get lights from. 

Act II. — Photo, for Jack Moore. Pack of cards for 
Cross Fox. A tin filled with water for Cross Fox. A 
bottle of carbolic acid for Tom. A roll of bandages for 
Tom. A bag of salt for all characters to be used as snow. 

Act III. — Match safe for Rand. Opera cloak for Alaska. 
A lock and key on door l. 

Act IV. — A rose for Seers. Two revolvers for Moore. 
Gong to strike off stage for clock. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 

As seen by a performer on the stage, facing the audience, 
r. means right hand, l., left hand of stage, c, center, r. c, 
right, l. c, left of center. d. l. c, d. r. c, doors in left 
center and right center of rear flat. d. l., d. r. doors in left 
and right flats. Up, means up stage toward rear. Down, 
down stage toward footlights. 



THE FROZEN TRAIL. 



ACT I. 



SCENE. — Interior of " The Last Chance'' Northern Alaska. 
Winter night, A log interior. (If unobtainable, use a 
kitchen.) A long, low, frost-covered window l. A door 
r. leading to exterior, with snow-scape backing. Door 
r. c. and l. c. A bar about six feet long and four feet 
high runs along in front of the window; on it glasses, 
bottles, segar-boxes, etc., and over it a hanging lamp. 
Down l. is a fire-place, in it some logs and a red lantern 
for effect. In front of fire-place is a table with three 
chairs or stools and over it, also a hanging lamp. Down 
R. some old boxes and barrels. Right of R. d. are nails 
on which to hang hats, coats, etc. On nail nearest the 
door is a lighted lantern. On wall right, a lamp in a 
bracket. On all sides hang furs, skins, blankets, 
trophies, etc. Dark blue flood-lights back of flat. At 
rise of curtain lights are down. Wind effects. DIS- 
COVERED Cross Fox in front of fire-place, asleep. 
ENTER Tom d. l. c. crosses to d. r., buttons coat, puts 
on mittens and EXITS. Cross Fox stirs, sits up, 
yawns and looks around. Wind effect. He shivers. 

Cross Fox. Ugh. Much cold. Soon big snow. (He 
lays down again and sleeps) 

ENTER Jack Moore d. r. 

Jack Moore. Hello here. 

Capt. Walker, (off stage). What's wanted? 

Jack. Rum and a bed. 

Capt. (off stage). Ah'll be thar in about a minute. 

Jack. No hurry. Take your time. 

ENTER Joe Starkie d. r. coughs. 

Jack. Hello, pard. 

Joe Starkie (coughs). Howdy. 

7 



8 The Frozen Trail. 

Jack. Got a bad cold haven't you? 

Joe (sits on box r.). Rotten. Say friend, what part of 
civilization did you drop from? 

Jack. Civilization? (Laughs) Why I haven't seen 
civilization for five years. Why do you ask? 

Joe. Because up here we don't say haven't, we just say 
ain't and let it go at that. That's why I figured you hadn't 
been long away from the land of paved trails. (Coughs) 

Jack. Look here, friend, you want to do something for 
that cold. 

Joe. Oh, forget it. 

Jack. I'm putting you right, friend, and I know what I'm 
talking about. Back in civilization I was considered a 
fairly good doctor; in fact, half my pack now is made up of 
my medicine kit. 

Joe. You will find little use for it up here. 

Jack. Not much sickness up here, eh? 

Joe. Men in these parts, friend, don't get sick only once 
and when they lay down with it they never get up. I'm the 
onlv example they ever had up here of a ten year fight for 
life. 

Jack. Ten years? 

Joe. Yep. That's a long time to fight for decent health 
ain't it? But I did it and you see it has beat me out. If I 
see next winter I'm doing well. (Coughs) 

Jack. Oh come on. Don't say that. 

ENTER Capt. Walker d. l. c. 

Joe. Now don't pity me or I'll get sore. Come let's have 
a drink. (They both go up to the bar as Walker ENTERS.) 

Capt. Ah'll do the honors, gents, seein' that Alaska ain't 
here. What'll she be. (Goes behind the bar) 

Jack. What have you got? 

Capt. Rum. 

Jack. That's mine. 

Joe. Same here. Have something yourself, Capt? 

Capt. Thanks. (Pours out three glasses of liquor) 

Joe. I don't think I got your name, friend. 

Jack. Jack Moore. 

Joe. This is Capt. Walker. (Jack and Capt. shake 
hands) 

Jack. Proud to know you. 

Capt. Same here. (Holding up glass) My regards, 
friends. 



The Frozen Trail. 9 

Jack and Joe {together). Drink hearty. {They all 
drink. Joe pays) 

Capt. By all huskies. It's sure tarnation dark in here. 
These lamps don't give no more light than a candle. 

Joe. Need trimmin' maybe. 

Capt. Guess you've hit it. Wal Ah'll be sizzled; they 
ain't turned up that's the trouble. (Jack and Joe both 
laugh) 

Jack. It's up to you, Capt., to set 'em up. 

Capt. And Ah'm just the hair-pin that can do that 
same. {He goes about turning up the lamps and talking as 
he does so. As he turns up each lamp the lights on the 
stage come up) Might Ah ask where yer bound f er stranger ? 

Jack. Just prospecting. 

Capt. Ain't yer regular line is it? 

Jack. Well, not exactly. I was just telling our friend 
here that I am a doctor by profession. 

Capt. A doc. eh? Ain't you a little off yer trail up 
here? 

Jack. Yes, you might look at it that way. You see, 
back in the states I thought I was in love with a certain 
young lady and when I saw I didn't have a ghost of a chance 
I did the fool thing and hit the trail for the wilderness. It 
took me about two days up here to realize that I was no 
more in love than a jack rabbit. 

Joe. Same old yarn. 

Capt. It's funny now ain't it? About every white man 
up here that has come from the far South has got some 
kind of a story trailin' arter his team. 

Joe. You're right, Capt. Many a man comes up here to 
forget the life he has left behind. The Injuns do well to 
call this particular part of the country "the land of for- 
gotten pasts." 

Capt. What trail did you come in by, Mr. Moore? 

Jack. I'll tell you if you call me Jack or Doc. 

Capt. Doc. goes. 

Jack. I came up by the hog back trail. 

Capt. Yer don't say? And yer wasn't held up by Jack 
o ? Diamonds. 

Jack. Jack o' Diamonds? Never heard of the gentleman 
as far as I can remember. Who is he? 

Capt. Never heerd of Jack 0' Diamonds? Get out. Get 
out. 

Jack. No, that's on the level. 



io The Frozen Trail. 

Capt. If yer mean that then Ah'll have ter put yer wise. 
Hey, Cross Fox. (Cross Fox rises) 

Fox. Ugh. What you want? 

Capt. Go down to Wicker's and see if the mail got in yet. 

Fox. Ugh. [EXIT d. r. 

Joe. Capt., you tell our friend the yarn and — (Coughs) 
You'll excuse me Doc. won't you? I've got a letter to write 
and the Lord knows when I'll feel like writing again. 
(Crosses to d. r. c.) 

Jack. Wait a minute. Have another drink before you 
go. 

Joe. Thanks, pard. But one is all I can stand at a time. 
(Coughs) [EXIT d. r. c. 

Jack. That boy is in bad shape, Capt. 

Capt. You can bet he is. Been that way fer years. 
Came up here with his brother ter kinder straighten out. 

Jack. Has it helped him any? 

Capt. He's too far gone fer that Ah reckon. His brother 
Tom takes care of him. Say it's wonderful what them two 
boys think of each other. Tom looks arter him like he was 
a baby and Alaska does the same. 

Jack. Alaska? Who is that? 

Capt. Ah keep fergettin' that you're a stranger up here. 
Alaska is the gal what runs this plant. She's the daughter 
of old Cross Fox. 

Jack. The Indian who just went after the mail? 

Capt. That's him. Him and Alaska is the last of what 
was known as the Beothics, at one time the richest and most 
learned lot of Injuns on the globe. The other Injuns about 
here swear that the tribe has been cursed by the Great 
Spirit and old medicine men predict that the last of the 
race will be shunned by all mankind and left deserted and 
alone. (He reads these last lines slowly and with emphasis) 

Jack. And the girl Alaska? 

Capt. Will be the last of her race when Cross Fox goes. 
You see Alaska's mother was a white woman and say, the 
gal is white clear through. Lived a good part of her life in 
a convent at Vancouver and has got the eddication of a 
college professor. 

Jack. What is she doing in this part of the world ? 

Capt. The call of the wild I reckon. I tell yer, pardner, 
when the fever of these snow covered hills gets in yer veins 
and the north wind in yer nostrils, when yer get a longing 
for the big snows and the northern lights, yer lost, cause it 



The Frozen Trail. tx 

makes no difference what part of the world yer in when yer 
hear the call of the wild yer've got ter come back; yer just 
can't help it. 

Jack (sits in chair l. of table). I dare say you are right. 
What time did you say Alaska would be here ? 

Capt. I didn't say, though she ought ter be here now. 
That is if she ain't been held up by Jack o' Diamonds. 

Jack. Oh, yes, you were speaking of him. What is the 
yarn? 

Capt. (sitting on the edge of the table). There ain't any- 
one who knows much about him except that there is a 
reward of $500 offered fer his capture. He's been doin' this 
hold up stunt now fer about five months. 

Jack. Indeed ? 

Capt. Yas. And a queer sort of a cuss he must be too. 
He never harmed a soul and never takes all that a man has 
got. He just helps hisself ter what a man has, gins the 
rest back and sends the victim on his way. 

Jack (laughs), Well at that rate he doesn't do much 
harm then. 

Capt. No, that's just it, he's so damned tantilizing that 
the boys have decided to put a stop to it. 

Jack. What kind of a looking individual is this fellow? 

Capt. Now that's whar we all stop. Nobody ever seed 
much moren his head and he always wears a mask. He 
allers works from behind a rock or a tree. The only one 
who ever got a good look at him is Alaska. 

Jack (eagerly). Then this Alaska is the girl he held up 
on the Black River trail. 

Capt. Look here. Ah thought you said you knew nothin' 
about him. 

Jack (resuming his old careless manner). I heard some 
traders at the post talk of some girl that was held up on the 
Black River trail and thought no more about it until just 
now. That is why I spoke so hastily. (He takes out a 
handkerchief and mops his brow) 

Capt. Warm stranger? 

Jack (takes off his coat and throws it over the back of 
his chair). Yes, that fire throws out an awful heat. (Capt. 
goes behind the bar. Aside) Phew. That was a close call. 
(Aloud to Capt.) Let's have another drink. And say, why 
do they call this road agent Jack o' Diamonds. 

Capt. 'Cause he wears a large diamond ring on his left 
hand. Here try some of this stuff, it will make you feel like 



12 The Frozen Trail. 

an Easter Lily. (Jack laughs, tosses a coin on the bar, pours 
out some liquor and drinks) 

Jack. That is good stuff and now if you don't mind I'd 
like to turn in for about forty winks. 

Capt. Sure. You'll find a bunk in there. (Points l.) 

Jack. Well, me for the hay. [EXITS d. l. c. 

Capt. (calls off). That lower bunk to the right. 

Jack (from off stage). This one? 

Capt. (same bus.). That's it. 

Jack (same bus.). Oh, say. 

Capt. (same bus.). What is it? 

Jack (same bus.). I left my pack and medicine kit over 
at the other cabin. Have them brought over and stored 
away will you? 

Capt. (same bus.). Sure. 

Jack (same bus.). Thanks. 

Capt. (same bus.). Don't mention it. (To himself) 
Queer customer that. Ah wonder what he is really doing up 
here. Wal one man's business is all his own, Ah suppose. 

Alaska (from off stage). Hey up there. 

Capt. Hello, that sounds like Alaska. 

ENTEE Joe d. r. c. 

Joe. Say, Capt. there's the gal comin' up the trail. 
You'd better give her some light. 

Alaska (same bus.). Hey up there. 

Capt. In a minute, in a minute. (Joe helps Capt. on 
with his hat and coat. Capt. snatches the lantern from the 
peg on the wall and EXITS D. r. Joe rolls a cigarette and 
lights it from the fireplace. During this business Fox 
ENTEES d. r. with the mail bag.) 

Fox. Mail. 

Joe. Throw it on the bar. (Fox throws the mail on the 
bar and EXITS d. r. Joe loolcs over the mail and then 
throws it down in disgust) Not a line for me. I guess 
the folks at home forget that I'm alive. 

ENTEE Capt. and Alaska d. r. 

Capt. Here she be. 

Alaska. Hello, Joe. 

Joe. Howdy, Lask. Where have you been? 

Alaska. Down to the dance at the Nugget. 



The Frozen Trail. 13 

Joe. Have a good time? 

Alaska. You bet. 

Joe. I'm glad of that. Say, Lask. Lend me your 
fountain pen will yer ? 

Alaska. Sure. (Goes behind the bar to get pen) 

Capt. Ain't yer got that letter writ yet Joe? 

Joe. Haven't started yet. 

Alaska (handing Joe the pen). Writing to your best 
girl, Joe? 

Joe. Yep. 

Alaska. What's her name? 

Joe. Same as mine. 

Capt. Yer don't say? 

Joe. Yes. She's my mother. 

Capt. Of course every man's best gal is his mother when 
he has one. But what we mean is yer real gal. Yer spark, 
so ter speak. 

Joe. Now there's something I never did have. 

Alaska. Maybe you never tried. 

Joe. Yes and maybe I never found one that would just 
suit. 

Alaska. It's lucky for you, Joe, that I am not a dashing 
young damsel or I would have you and the rest of this camp 
killing each other for love of me. 

Joe. I guess they would do that now if you said the word. 
Say gal, the Romeos around this camp can get down on their 
knees every night and give thanks that I have not got my 
health. 

Alaska. Why ? 

Joe. Why ? Why if I was strong like some of these husk- 
ies I'd a married you long ago. 

Alaska (laughs). Suppose I couldn't see it that way? 

Joe. Oh that be hanged. I'd married you whether you 
wanted to or not. [EXIT d. r. c. 

Alaska (looking after him). Do you know, Capt., I like 
to hear a man talk like that. 

Capt. The Lord help us. What is women folks comin' to ? 

Rand (off stage). Hello up there. 

Alaska. That's Rand's voice. 

Capt. Ah'll open the door so as ter give him some light. 
(Throws open the door and calls off) Can you see? 

Rand. All O. K. 

Capt. Great Scott. He's carrying some one on his back. 
Hello ! Thar mus£ have been some trouble. 



14 The Frozen Trail. 

ENTER Rand d. r. carrying Tom on his shoulder. He comes 

down c. 

Rand. A blanket and some whiskey. Quick. (Alaska 
gets a glass of whiskey, Capt. gets a robe or blanket from 
the wall which he spreads on the floor. Rand lays Tom on 
the blanket) 

Alaska. Is he badly hurt? 

Rand. I can't tell yet. (Alaska kneels at his head and 
gives him whiskey. Rand is behind him. Capt. at his feet) 

Capt. How did it happen? 

Rand. He must have slipped on the ice and turned his 
ankle. I found him stretched out as I came up the trail. 

Capt. He hit his head as he fell, Ah reckon. 

Rand. He don't seem to be frostbitten anywhere. 

Capt. Not a bit; you must have come across him a few 
minutes arter he went down. 

Alaska. See he's coming around all right. (Tom comes 
to with a start and tries to sit up. Rand prevents him) 

Rand. Lay still, old man. You'll be all right in a minute. 
Take another drink. (Tom takes another sip of the 
whiskey) 

Tom. I think I can stand now. (He tries to stand and 
winces when he attempts to stand on his injured foot) 
Guess I hurt that foot some. 

Capt. Wal Ah reckon. (Capt. and Rand support him 
under either arm) 

Tom. What happened to me anyhow? 

Capt. Slipped and fell on the ice. 

Tom. How did I get here? 

Capt. Rand carried you. 

Tom. Then I owe my life to you Rand. I don't know 
how I am ever going to thank you, old man. 

Rand. Don't say another word about it and that will be 
thanks enough. 

Tom. That don't go at all, pal. (Holds hut his hand 
which Rand takes) Rand, if the day should ever come when 
I can do you a good turn promise me you will ask it no 
matter what it might be. 

Rand. Oh, that's all right. 

Tom. No, it is not all right. I want you to promise. 

Rand. Well then I promise. 

Tom (grips him more firmly by the hand). Thanks, old 
man, thanks. And now if you fellows will give me a lift I 



l 



The Frozen Trail. 15 

will get between the blankets. (Tom and Capt. help him to 

D. R. C.) 

Capt. Take it easy now. Take it easy (When they get 
to the door Capt. EXITS with Tom, and Rand turns and 
faces Alaska who is about to follow them.) 

Rand. Wait a minute, Alaska, I want to speak to you. 

Alaska. Not now, Ced. I want to get some extra blankets 
for Tom. (She EXITS quickly d. r. c. Rand stands for a 
moment looking after her, then comes down to the fire, rolls 
a cigarette and smokes) 

ENTER Capt. d. r. c. 

Capt. Ah left him to the tender mercies of Alaska and 
his brother. Them two should be able to bring him around, 
Ah reckon. By the great ducks of the great horn, Ah most 
fergot. 

Rand. What's the matter? 

Capt. A stranger blew into camp to-night who said he 
was a doctor. Wouldn't he be the man to look at Tom? 

Rand. Where is he? 

Capt. In one of the bunks. 

Rand. Come on, we will get him. [EXIT d. l. c. 

ENTER Fox d. r. He comes down and is about to rifle 
Jack's coat which is left on chair l. He hears Rand, 
Capt. and Jack talking off l. and quickly darts behind 
the bar just as Capt. and Rand ENTER, dragging 
Jack between them. 

Jack. Hold on, what's all this about? 
Rand. We want you to look at a man who- 



Capt. Sure. Don't you see we have been drumming up 
trade for yer. 

Jack. Wait until I am awake will you ? 

Capt. Come on, this is important. We'll explain it all 
later. (Capt. and Rand drag Jack off d. r. c. Jack is pro- 
testing ad. lib. all the way off. After they EXIT Fox comes 
down and rifles Jack's coat. He finds a diamond ring in the 
pocket and starts) 

Fox. Ugh. Ugh. Big light. Diamond. Ah! Stranger 
him Jack Diamon. Me get heap gold now. Me tell. Me 
find big hold-up man. Me leave big light in pocket. That 
sure sign. Ugh, Cross Fox him no fool. (He drops the 
ring back in the pocket and continues his search) 



16 The Frozen Trail. 

ENTEK Joe d. r. c. 

Joe. Up to your old tricks eh? 

Fox (starts and drops the coat on the floor). Ugh. My 
business. 

Joe. Eobbing a stranger eh? Well, that's about as low 
a trick as you put over yet. 

Fox. Me say my business. 

Joe. Yes your business is to steal everything you can lay 
your hands on. 

Fox. Me Laska's father. 

Joe. I know that and you cause her trouble and sorrow 
enough poor kid. It's the fact that you are her father that 
keeps the boys from stringing you up. 

Fox. You talk like fool. 

Joe. You're not worth wasting breath on. (He crosses 
l. picks up coat and lays it on the bach of chair. As he 
does so Fox draws a knife and attempts to stab him. 
Joe turns quickly and with his open hand strikes Fox who 
drops the knife and falls. While he is on the floor he 
springs for the knife which Joe puts his foot on) Well you 
miserable redskin, I've got half a mind to send you to the 
Happy Hunting Grounds with your boots on. 

ENTEK Capt. d. l. c. 

Capt. Hello. What's this? 

Joe. I found him going through the stranger's pockets 
and he tried to knife me. 

Capt. Well you sneakin', greasy, stealin', murder in', 
cyotin', yaller, black hearted, horse eatin' Injun. You make 
yerself scarce afore Ah fill yer so full of lead that yer'll look 
like a crazy quilt. (Fox rises and goes up to d. r.) 

Fox. Me go. (Points to Joe) You hit Cross Fox, Cross 
Fox him chief. Him no forget. Some day him kill. Him 
see you die. Him laugh. Soon me have much gold. Then 
me rich. Me find, me know Jack Diamond. Then me kill 
you. Me swear by Great Spirit. [EXIT D. R. 

Capt. What's he talking about? 

Joe. Search me. 

Capt. He's full of fire water Ah reckon. Take ma advice 
and keep yer eye on that ar segar store sign. He'll do fer yer 
if he gets the chance. 

Joe. I'll take your advice but I won't lose any sleep over 
it. 



The Frozen Trail. 17 

Capt. Wal keep yer weather eye on him, that's all Ah've 
got ter say. You struck him and that's about as big an 
insult as yer could have offered him, as his tribe reckons. 

Joe. Oh, stop preaching. 

Capt. You youngsters never will listen until it is too late. 

Joe {takes him by the arm and pulls him l.). Come on 
you old bear I'll beat you at any game of cards you can 
think up. 

Capt. Wal have it yer own way. [EXIT d. l. c. talking. 

ENTER Band d. r. c. Crosses to table, sits and for a 
moment looks towards d. l. c. 

Rand. I must have been mistaken. -Yet when she looked 
at him I thought she went pale and trembled a little. Bah! 
I'm a fool. {He stares at the floor as if in meditation) 

ENTER Alaska d. r. c, looking off. 

Alaska. Why has he come here? Here, where if they 
knew who he was his life would not be worth a minute's 
consideration. {She turns — sees Rand and starts) Hello, 
Ced. 

Rand {with his eyes still on the floor). Hello, girl. 

Alaska. Thinking, Ced? 

Rand {same bus.). Yes. 

Alaska. What about? 

Rand {looking up). About 

Alaska. About me. You needn't say it. I know. 
{Laughs lightly) Am I right? 

Rand. Yes. 

Alaska. Funny how I guessed it, eh? 

Rand. I'm always thinking of you, Alaska. 

Alaska. I'm sorry for that. 

Rand. Why? 

Alaska. Because you don't find something better to oc- 
cupy your mind. 

Rand. I'm a fool I guess. 

Alaska. No, Ced, you are far from that. You are a true 
man, how good and true no one knows better than I. {She 
leans against the front of the table. Rand takes one of her 
hands in his) 

Rand. Then why can't you love me, Alaska? 

Alaska. Ah, please don't speak of that again, Ced. You 
promised me you wouldn't, you know. 

Rand. Hear me just this once girl. 



18 The Frozen Trail. 

Alaska. Why must you make yourself unhappy and me 
miserable by speaking of love ? You know — I've told you be- 
fore that — that — Ah don't, Ced, please don't. 

Rand. Alaska even the unhappiness I endure by having 
you say my hope is but a false one, has a certain amount of 
bitter sweet in it that I wouldn't exchange for all the gold in 
these hills. 

Alaska. Ced. you make me feel awful bad, honest you do. 

Rand. Why? 

Alaska. Because I want to keep you as a friend and I 
know you will not be satisfied with that. Ah, can't you see 
what you are doing? 

Rand. I only know I love you. 

Alaska. And I 

Rand. Don't say you love some one else. Don't even 
think it. For as true as I love you I'd hunt that man out 
even if the trail led me to the other end of the earth and I'd 
kill him. Do you hear, I'd kill him. 

Alaska. Ced. you have no right to speak to me like this. 

Rand. I have as much right as any other man. {He 
grasps her fiercely by the wrist) 

Alaska. Ced — Ced, you're hurting me. 

Rand. Forgive me, I — I — didn't mean to. 

ENTER Fox hurriedly d. r. 

Fox. Here, here. Me find Diamond Jack. 
Rand. What's that? 

Alaska. He lies — He lies. Can't you see he has been 
drinking. 

Rand. Hey, boys, here all of you. 

ENTER all hut Tom. 

Capt. What's the row? 

Rand. Cross Fox says he has found Jack o' Diamonds. 
(They crowd around Cross Fox, all hut Alaska who remains 
down l. by Jack's coat) 

All. Where is he? How do you know you have your 
man? Are you sure, etc? 

Capt. Hold on here a minute, I will question him. Now 
first, how do you know you have your man? 

Fox. Me find big light in pocket. (Alaska looks toward 
Jack's coat, puts her hand in the pocket, takes out diamond 
ring and quickly puts it in her stocking. The other char- 
acters are so engrossed in Fox's story they do not see this) 



The Frozen Trail. 19 

Capt. So far good. Now where is your man? 

Fox. Me want money. 

Capt. You'll get your money. Where is your man? 

Fox (points to Jack). Him. (Jack starts and reaches 
for his gun. Rand covers him with his own) 

Rand. Hold on stranger. Stand pat. We want to see 
this thing through. (Alaska goes up stage and down r.) 

Capt. Where did you find the diamond ring? 

Fox. In coat pocket there. 

Capt. Joe, search that coat. (Joe crosses, takes up coat 
and searches it) Well! 

Joe. There ain't even a toothpick in it. 

Alaska (laughs). I thought so. 

Capt. Well we sure are a fine set of durn fools fer listenm* 
ter such a yarn. Stranger we ask yer pardon. 

Jack. Say no more about it. 

Capt. Well, Cross Fox, what have you got to say fer 
yerself ? 

Fox (crosses to Alaska and holes her straight in the eye). 
Me understand. (He goes up to d. r.) 

Capt. Wal what do yer mean by that? 

Fox. Me understand. Me say no more. [EXIT d. r. 

Capt. Darned if he ain't the most mysterious cuss Ah 
ever seed. (They all laugh) 

Joe. Ain't it time to turn in, boys? 

Capt. Wal Ah reckon. 

Alaska. Never mind the lights, boys. I'll turn them out. 

Capt. Wal me fer the elk hides. Good-night, boys. (All 
hid each other good-night, etc., ad. lib.) You'll find an 
extra bunk, stranger, over in the other cabin. 

Jack. All right, friend. Good-night. [EXIT d. r. 

(Capt. and Rand EXIT l. and Joe EXIT r. Alaska turns 
down all the lamps humming as she does so, some old tune; 
she leaves the lamp over the bar for the last. This she does 
not turn down. The lights are now low, she leans on the 
bar as if listening, the d. r. slowly opens and Jack ENTERS. 
The following is spoken in a low subdued tone) 

Alaska. Why have you come back? You don't know 
what risk you run. Why have you come here at all? 

Jack. You know because I love you. Since that day we 
met on the Black River trail I have visited every camp in 
search of you. 

Alaska. If they once learn that you are the Road Agent — 

Jack. I gave that all up from the first day I saw you, I 



20 The Frozen Trail. 

never followed the road as an agent because I needed the 
money. It was because I didn't care what became of me, but 
now I do care. I know every man from whom I have taken 
gold and I'll give it back to them, every ounce of it, if you 
will only say " I love you." 

Alaska (as if dazed). I — I 

Jack. We will go back to God's country, I will make a 
home for you and we will be happy. You don't love any one 
else? 

Alaska. No — NO 

Jack. You saved my life to-night, Alaska, it is yours. 
Just say those three little words and 

Alaska. I leave for Vancouver to-morrow. I can't stay 
up here during the long winter, it is too long and lonesome. 

Jack. Then we will go together. 

Alaska. No, you stay here, give back the gold you have 
taken and when the thaw comes again you can meet me 

Jack. Where ? 

Alaska. At Vancouver in the convent where I lived as a 
child. 

Jack. I'll do it. Alaska, I love you. (He takes her in 
his arms as they stand beneath the lamp that hangs over the 
bar) 

Alaska. Better than the world — Better than my life. I 
— love — you. 

SLOW CUETAIN. 



ACT II. 



SCENE. — Same as Act I. In addition a set of sleeping 
bunks, three high, in place of bar, and another set down 
r. An axe leans against the bunks R. A tin basin on 
floor near fire-place. The whole set is somewhat more 
dilapidated than in previous act. At rise lights are 
semi-dim. Wind and snow effect without. DIS- 
COVERED Joe asleep in lower bunk up against the 
back of wall, and Cross Fox seated in front of the fire- 
place playing with a pack of greasy cards. Joe rises to 
a sitting position and coughs. It seems an effort for 
him to speak. 

Joe. Fox. 

Fox (without looking up). Ugh! 



(The Profcen Trail, 21 

Joe. Fox. 

Fox. What you want? 

Joe. Get me some water will you? I'm burning up. 

Fox. Ugh ! 

Joe. Get me some — (He falls back exhausted. Fox 
rises and goes up to the bunk) 

Fox. Ugh! You soon die — soon you get white — you get 
cold — you no strong, you like sick squaw — me glad — me much 
happy. Ugh! me no get water. Long moons go on you hit 
Cross Fox. Him no forget. Him swear him kill you. Him 
will. (Joe coughs) See you no live long. Soon me kill 
you. 

Joe. Tou can't frighten me with your threats. Look 
here. I've got a gun on me and enough strength to use it. 
Why I think so little of you that I wouldn't waste good gun- 
powder on you. (Coughs and again falls bach) 

Fox. Me hate you like wolf. Ugh ! see you sick, like sick 
she wolf. (He goes back to his cards) 

ENTEK Tom d. r. c. 

Tom. Still here, Fox? How's the boy? 

Fox. Don't know. 

Tom. Poor Joe, I guess he ain't long for this world. 

Joe. Is-is that you, Tom? 

Tom. Yes, it's me, Joe. How do you feel? 

Joe. I'm all in, I don't think I can hold out much longer. 

Tom. Nonsense. You'll be all right as soon as we can get 
some meat. 

Joe. Say, Tom. Make that redskin get me some water, 
he won't do it for me. Every time I ask him he starts to 
rave about what he's going to do for me when he gets the 
chance. 

Tom. You look here, Fox. You get some water right 
now and any other time that this boy asks you. If he tells 
me again that you refused him I'll rid this outfit of your 
company. Do you understand that? 

Fox. Ugh! 

Tom. Well I mean it. Now get that water. (Fox picks 
up the tin and EXITS d. r.) 

Joe. What time is it, Tom? 

Tom. I don't know but I can find out for you, Joe. 

Joe. No, never mind. It seems that there is no time up 
here. Neither day, month or year. Its all one, night, ever- 
lasting night. (He becomes utterly exhausted) 



22 The Frozen toail. 

ENTER Fox d. r. 

Tom. Joe— Joe — . Quick, Fox, melt that snow. (Fox 
holds tin over the fire-place.) > 

ENTER Walker d. r. 

Capt. What's up, Tom, has he had another bad turn? 

Tom. Yes. 

Capt. Tough ain't it? 

Tom. It's worse than that. How are things at the other 
hut. 

Capt. Bad — bad. Two down with the fever, one got blood 
poisoning and Stokes' arm was that bad Doc. Moore had ter 
amputate it. It's a wonder you didn't hear the poor devil 
yell away over here. 

Fox. Here. (Hands tin of water to Tom and goes hack 
to his cards) 

Tom. Here you are, Joe. (He raises Joe and gives him a 
drink. Joe sighs as if relieved) 

Joe. Thanks, I'm all O. K. now. (He lays back as if to 
sleep) 

Tom. How do the rest of the boys manage to hold out, 
Capt? 

Capt. The Lord knows. They are starting to fight now 
among themselves. Doc. manages to keep them pretty full of 
dope and with only whiskey as rations it wouldn't surprise 
me if they all went stark mad and started in with a general 
massacre. 

Tom. How's Jack himself? 

Capt. He's so doped and drunk, he's worse than all the 
rest put together. 

Tom. Capt., how long do you suppose it will be before the 
relief can get here? That is if Rand really got through the 
storm. 

Capt. In forty-eight hours now at most. This snow can't 
last much longer. 

Tom. Suppose — suppose they shouldn't come, what will 
we do? 

Capt. Don't say that boy, don't lose heart that way. 

Tom. Capt., have you prayed? 

Capt. No, I wish I could. I never said a prayer in all my 
life. It would take a big load off my heart if I could turn to 
some one and ask for help and think that I stood a chance of 
getting it. No, Tom, I can only say, God help us, God help 
us, over and over and over again. Then Ah have ter stop 
cause Ah can feel maself going mad. (Tom takes Capt. by 



IMie Frozen Trail. 23 

the shoulder and gently shakes him as if to wake him from 
the reverie in which he has lapsed) 

Tom. Capt.— Capt. Don't take on like that or I will go 
under myself and we must keep a clear head for the sake of 
the other boys. 

Capt. You're right, WE must hold out. (A half scream 
and half wild yell is heard off stage) 

Tom. What's that? 

Capt. Another poor devil in the grip of the fever An 
reckon. (Jack rushes in d. r., laughing hysterically. ^ He 
holds up his hand on which is a long cut) Doc. What is it? 
What's the matter? 

Jack. Matter— matter. Look at this. (Holds out his 
hand) Stetson did that with his hunting knife. Well, why 
do you stare at me? Don't you understand Stetson did it? 
He did it for a joke. Stetson did it— Stetson did it. (He 
examines his hand in a dazed and fever mad manner) 

Capt. (aside to Tom). Go over to his medicine chest and 
get some carbolic and bandages. I've got to fix that hand. 
(EXIT Tom d. r. Capt. speaks to Jack) Come on Doc. 
Don't let a little thing like that worry you. Get up in that 
bunk and Ah'll dress your hand. 

Jack. Eh. You'll dress my hand? No, you wont. 
(Crosses to hunks R.) I'm going to see Stetson first, he 
marked me and I won't forget it. I'm going to get even. 

Capt. There's a good feller. Get on that bunk; now. 

Jack. I won't, I tell you. 

Capt. Oh, come on, Doc. 

Jack. No. I'm going to see Stetson first. I'm going to 
kill him for this. (He starts for D. R. Capt. holds him by 
the shoulders) 

Capt. Hold on a minute, Doc. 

Jack. Let me go. Do you hear? Let me go. 

Capt. Wait a minute, I want to talk with you. 

Jack. Who's doctor here, you or I? 

Capt. You are. But you don't leave here until Ah dress 
that arm just the same. 

Jack (pleading). Let me go Capt. Please let me go. 
(Tom ENTERS d. r. with carbolic and bandages, he pours 
some of the carbolic in the tin from which Joe drank) 

Capt. Ah'll let you go, Doc. if you let me dress that hand. 

Jack. You don't touch this hand until I've seen Stetson. 
He cut me and now I'm going to cut him up and feed him tQ 
the dog teams. (Starts for d. r. Capt. blocks the way\ 



24 The Frozen Trail. 

Jack {quickly turns to bunk and picks up the axe). 
Stand out of my way or I will have your life to answer for 
as well as his. 

Tom (aside to Capt). Watch him, Capt. 

Capt. (aside to Tom). Get behind him if yer can, he's 
going mad. (To Doc.) You're right Doc. Kill him, that's 
what he deserves. (Coming slowly down toward Doc.) 
Hello, yer dropped a picture of the girl thar, Jack. 

Jack. Eh. What girl? 

Capt. Why, Alaska of course. 

Jack. Alaska — where ? 

Capt. Thar behind yer. (Jack lowers the axe and turns 
to look behind him, as he does so Capt. strikes him with his 
clenched fist. Jack falls to floor) Ah hated to do that but 
it was the only way to keep him from going stark raving 
mad and murderin' someone. Ah've seen him do the same 
thing with some of the other boys when the fever got them. 
Here, Tom, lend a hand. (Tom and Capt. place Jack on 
bunk r., gets bandages, etc., and Capt. washes and dresses 
Jack's hand) 

Tom. How did you know he had a picture of Alaska, 
Capt. 

Capt. Ah caught him lookin' at it the other day when he 
thought no one was about. 

Tom. I wouldn't say anything to Rand about it if I 
were you. 

Capt. You know me, boy. 

Tom. It must be that Alaska is in love with him, eh. 

Capt. Looks that-a-way. 

Tom. And she's turned Rand down. 

Capt. Likely. 

Tom. That'll hit Rand kinder hard. . 

Capt. Yes, and we can do him no bigger favor than ter 
keep our ideas quiet. He'll find it out for himself when 
the thaw comes. If he knew it now with all the other 
things he's got to bear he'd be a dead man or a loon in less 
than an hour. 

Tom. Then mum's the word. 

Capt. Right. 

Tom. There's my hand on it. 

Capt. And thar's mine. (Tom and Capt. shakes hand) 
Ah guess Doc is all right now for a spell. He's sleepin' like 
a log. Reckon Ah'll look in over at the other hut. 

Joe (sits up). Tom. 



The Frozen Trail. 35 

Tom. What is it Joe? 

Joe. Tom am I going to die? 

Tom. We all are some time. 

Joe. I mean now, within a few days. I am. I can read 
it in your face. You can't hide it from me, old man. This 
old world has never even given me a fighting chance, but 
I hate to leave it just the same. 

Tom. Pshaw, Joe, you're all right. 

i Joe (smiling faintly). Still trying to cheer me up, eh, 
pal ? I'll call you pal because you've always been that to me. 
A pal, a good friend and a brother. When you get back 
home again, Tom, tell mother that I often thought of her 
and loved her. Won't you? 

Tom. Don't talk like a schoolgirl. It won't be many 
more moons before you will be able to give mother that 
message yourself. Now try and get some rest, old man, 
you've talked enough for one night. (Joe lays bach as if to 
sleep. Tom takes one of his hands in both his own) Poor 
Joe. The best brother a man ever had. (EXITS slowly 
d. r. Cross Fox who has stoically been playing cards 
throughout all the preceding scenes rises, goes to bunks up 
stage and pulls down a blanket which he lays before fire 
place. He takes out a flask of whiskey which he drains at 
a gulp) 

Fox. Ugh — Fire water good. Ugh — make Injun sleep. 
Me fool paleface. Me have much fire water. Me Fox — 
Ugh ! Cross Fox. (He rolls himself up in a blanket, chanting 
some Indian song meanwhile. He lays down and sleeps. 
There is a short pause while the wind rages without. Then 
some wild hearty cheers are heard without) 

ENTER Tom hurriedly d. r. 

Tom. Joe — Joe. 
Joe (rising). What is it? 

Tom. Hand just got in. And the relief will be here in a 
few hours. (More cheers are heard without) 

ENTER Rand d. r. 

Rand. Tom, have some of the boys go down the trail and 
meet the relief so as to lend a hand. 

Tom. You bet I will. [EXIT d. r. 

Rand. Well, Joe, old man. How are you? 

Joe. Rotten, thanks. 

Tom (off stage). Here, some of you fellows get the dogs 



26 The Frozen Trail. 

together and hike down the trail and give the relief a hand. 
(Cheers are again heard off) 

Joe. Sounds good. Don't it? 

Eand. You bet it does. 

Joe I think I can rest now that I know the bunch are 
all right (He lays hack on his bunk. More cheers off stage. 
Jack raises slowly from his bunk. He is still in the grip of 

Jack^ What the devil is all that yelling about? Hello, 
Eand. Got back, eh? m 

Eand. Is that you, Doc? I didn't notice that you was 
here. Heard the news? 
Jack. No. , 

Eand. The relief will be here in a few hours and maybe 
in a few minutes. 

Jack. I don't believe it. 

Eand (surprised). You don't— What's the matter, Doc, 

are you sick or 

Jack. Sick. (Laughs hysterically) 
E\nd. Come old man, you'd better get back to sleep. 
Jack. Sleep? I don't dare to sleep. If I do I dream 
oh such dreams. Eand back there where the world lives, is 
a girl, the one girl. You know what I mean. 

E\nd. I know what you mean, Jack. Do you know what 
made me push through and get word to the outside world 
that these men up here were dying of privations? A wo- 
man. Do you know what has kept me alive on the trail tor 
days and days? A woman. Her name has been my one 
prayer, her face my idol and my love the temple in which 1 
worship her. 

Jack. Does she love you like that? 

Eand. Sometimes I think I have some sort of a show 
and then again— Love me? I wonder— I wonder. 
Jack. You don't know? 

Eand. No, but I will when I get back to the world. One 
day she said she would give me my answer when she learned 
the meaning of the word love. And she has. Because 1 ve 
called it to her over these dreary miles of waste and I know 

she must have heard me because 

Jack. What is her name? 

Eand. I'd rather not tell you that. 

Jack. Oh. (He takes a photo from his coat and looks 

at it) 

Eand. Her picture, Doc? 



The Frozen Trail. 27 

Jack. Yes, would you like to see it? 

Kand. If you will. {He takes the picture — looks at it — 
his hand trembles and he drops the picture to the floor) 

Jack. What do you think of it? 

Rand. I think you lie. 

Jack. What? 

Rand. I said I think you lie. 

Jack. Are you drunk or mad like the rest of this outfit. 

Rand {speaks slowly and with emotion). I hope I am. 
I hope I will awake to find this all some horrible dream. 
Doc. tell me you were joking with me. Tell me that you 
do not love Alaska and that she does not love you. 

Jack. Why should I, eh? 

Rand. If you value your life, Doc, say it, say it. 

Jack. Why? Tell me why. 

Rand. Because she is the woman I love. 

Jack. You ? 

Rand. Yes, me. Now tell me has she ever said that she 
loved you? 

Jack. Yes. 

Rand. Are you sure ? 

Jack. As sure as I can read in your eyes that you love 
her. 

Rand {picks up Alaska's picture). You wasn't on the 
square Alaska. You wasn't on the square. 

Jack. And why don't you take it like a man ? 

Rand. A man? For the first time in my life I am sorry 
that I am a man. 

Jack. I won her didn't I? I won her fair and square. 
What right have you to think you even had a chance? 

Rand. What right? Why you— you — Don't Jack. Don't 
make me forget that you are down with the fever. Remem- 
ber we are not out of all this yet. 

Jack. Then why don't you murder me? (Rand starts) 
That went home didn't it? Oh I know what you're think- 
ing about. You think that I am going to die like the rest 
of this outfit, you think I am mad and don't know what I'm 
talking about. My stomach's gone, my brain is gone but I 
am not mad. It is you who are mad, drunk and crazy. It 
was I who taught her love. And you, you fool, thought you 
had a chance. You see what she has done for you? She 
has ruined every day of your life, but she has made me. 
She is mine. 

Rand. Man, have you no thought for your life? 



28 ^The Frozen Trail. 

Jack. No, No. My life is with her and this poor starving 
body is here, here in this accursed land of everlasting snow. 
Snow — snow, the very word is enough to make a man curse 
all that he holds dear. Night — Night — Snow — Snow — 
{Laughs in wild hysteria) Don't, Rand. Don't. Take your 
hand from my throat. Open that door. I want air — air 
or I'll die without ever seeing her again. Alaska — Alaska. 
{He laughs and then changes to sobbing. He drops to sitting 
position beside of bunks R. and gradually sobs himself to 
sleep. Rand stands looking down at him. Outside the wind 
whistles. The door opens and slams in the wind. Rand goes 
up and fastens the door. He comes down and again looks 
at Jack) 

Jack {moves and murmurs in his sleep). Alaska — Alaska. 

Rand {in intense whisper) Alaska? Why should he have 
her? Why did he — We are alone up here. Alone. Why — 
should — he — have — her? {Draws his revolver) It would 
only take a minute and all that life holds dear would be 
mine. {He goes up stage and sees that Joe is asleep and 
repeats same business with Cross Fox.) No one would ever 
know. He is mad and suicide would be the verdict. {Wind 
effect) How the wind howls to-night. It seems to say " Go 
on, Go on." I will. {He cocks the revolver and is about 
to fire when the full realization of his intended act comes to 
him. He looks at Alaska's picture which he still holds in 
his hand.) Alaska — My God. {He rushes up stage and 
out of d. r. He leaves the door open behind him. Fox stirs, 
rises and closes the door. He stands with his back against 
the door as if in thought. He then comes down and looks 
at Joe) 

Fox. Ugh. Now me kill white wolf. Me steal dogs. Me 
take him {Points to Jack) back to Alaska. {He staggers) 
Ugh. Me much sick. Much fire water. Ugh. 

Joe {awaking from sleep). Tom — Tom. (Fox crouches 
beside bunks up stage. Joe gets up from the bunk and 
crosses to the fire-place) Lor', how cold it is. {He warms 
his hands at the fire-place. Fox noiselessly creeps down to 
Jack and takes knife from Jack's belt. He then moves 
slowly toward Joe who has his back turned. He throws one 
arm under Joe's chin and around his throat and with the 
other he stabs him in the back. There is no struggle. He 
holds this position for a few seconds and then drops Joe to 
the floor. He drops the knife beside Joe, then crosses and 
shakes Jack roughly by the shoulder, then quickly goes up 



The Frozen Trail. 29 

stage and again crouches beside the bunks. Jack slowly 
rises. He seems dazed. He notices Joe. He crosses to him, 
starts, turns him over and speaks in a whisper) 

Jack. Joe dead. Can it be possible that I — I — No. No. 
Oh my head's in a turmoil. I can't think. I can't think. 
(Fox quietly comes down c.) How did my hand get band- 
aged. I must have been asleep. Perhaps I took an over- 
dose of whiskey and morphia. (He shakes Joe as if he can- 
not realize that he is dead) Joe — Joe — who has done this? 

Fox. You do it. 

Jack. What do you mean? 

Fox. You get much drunk. Much mad. You fight him. 
You kill him. 

Jack. You lie, Cross Fox. 

Fox. (points to knife). See knife. Him yours. 

Jack. Did I have a touch of the fever, Cross Fox? 

Fox. Ugh. You much sick. You kill. You laugh. 
Then cry like papoose. Then go sleep. 

Jack. Do any of the boys know? 

Fox. No. ^ 

Jack. I killed him. Me. Jack Moore a murderer. (To 
Fox) Why don't you speak, tell me what to do. Quick, I 
can feel the fever coming on again. Tell me what to do 
before it gets me. I know, I'll tell the boys and take my 
medicine. (He starts for the door. Cross Fox blocks the 
way) 

Fox. You fool they kill you quick. Wait. 

Jack. Get away from that door. 

Fox. You much fool. They kill you. You no see Laska. 

Jack. Laska. I had forgotten. 

Fox (points to Joe). Him dead. Him no live long any 
way. Him much sick. Outside is dogs and sleigh and meat. 
Me steal em. Me take you south to Laska. Me read stars. 
Me no get lost. Come. 

Jack. No, I stay here. 

Fox. Then you no see Laska. She love you like flower 
love sun. When you no come she die. 

Jack. Alaska — Alaska. (Fox takes Jack by the hand 
and leads him up to d. r. Jack goes reluctantly, looking 
over his shoulder at Joe) 

Fox. Come. Me make you much happy. Me make 
Laska much happy. (When they reach the door Jack 
breaks away from Fox and rushes back to Joe. He takes 
one of Joe's hands in his own) 



30 The Frozen Trail. 

Jack. Joe — Joe — You understand that I didn't mean it. 
It was the fever, Joe. Not me — Not me. 

Fox {again leads him up to door. Same bus.). Laska 
she wait. 

Jack (half dazed as if the fever was returning). Laska. 
Yes I must live to see her just once. It wasn't my fault, 
was it, Fox. 

Fox. Not your fault him dead. I swear by Great Spirit. 
(He throws open the door. The wind rises. He leads Jack 
out. After they have gone the door opens and slams in the 
wind, the lights flicker in the draught, the furs and blankets 
about the walls sway back and forth.) 

SLOW CURTAIN. 



ACT III. 



SCENE. — Home of Mrs. Rand, Hastings-on-the-Eudson, 
New York. Summer evening. An interior in a beau- 
tiful summer home. Doors r. and L. Door L. c, also 
double-door d. r. c. in rear flat, opening on a balcony 
with exterior backing. All other doors are backed by 
interiors. Both doors in rear flat are covered by heavy 
curtains. Window up l. Fire-place with mantel down 
r. Large clock and vase of cut flowers on mantel. A 
large easy-chair in front of fire-place. Fire effect in 
fire-place. Buffet between door and window. Bottle of 
brandy, glasses, cigars, seltzer, and fruit on buffet. A 
bell cord hangs alongside of buffet, r. of c. is a hard 
wood table. A fancy practical lamp and writing ma- 
terial are on table. L. of c. is a couch. Against wall 
down L. is a ladies' writing desk with chair and sta- 
tionery, etc. on same. Rugs and carpet on floor. Bric- 
a-brac about stage. Dark blue flood-light back of double 
doors. 

At rise DISCOVERED Mrs. Rand asleep in chair by fire- 
place. The clock strikes ten. Mrs. Rand wakens with 
a start and looks up at clock on mantel. 

Mrs. Rand. Ten o'clock. Dear me, I have been asleep for • 
an hour and I promised myself that I shouldn't doze for 
more than five minutes. 



The Frozen Trail. 31 

ENTER Bishop d. l. 

Bishop. Mr. Seers is in the library ma'am. Will you see 
him? 

Mrs. Band. Of course, Bishop. Show him up. 

Bishop. Very good, ma'am. [EXIT d. l. 

Mrs. Rand {arranging her hair before mirror on mantel). 
Dear me I'm a perfect fright. 

ENTER Mr. Seers, d. l. 

Mr. Seers. My dear Mrs. Rand, do I intrude? 

Mrs. Rand. Not at all, Mr. Seers. I am indeed de- 
lighted to see you. Do you come from the circus? 

Seers. No I am from the club. My daughter is at the 
circus with Cedric and requested me to call for her here 
on my way home. I fear Mrs. Rand my day for indulging 
in wild west shows is long since past. 

Mrs. Rand. Tour day Mr. Seers? Why your day has 
just begun, I fancy. 

Seers. Do you think so? Do you really think so? That 
is a compliment. 

Mrs. Rand. Will you not be seated? These young people 
are sure to be away another half hour at least. 

Seers (sits l.). Thank you. 

Mrs. Rand. Do you feel a draught? If so I will close 
the curtains. (Goes up to d. r. c. and closes curtains) 

Seers (looking after her admiringly. Aside). What a 
woman. What a charming woman. Every move a perfect 
picture. 

Mrs. Rand. Did you speak Mr. Seers? 

Seers (confused). Yes er — that is er — er — er — By the 
by. How long does your son intend to remain home this 
trip? 

Mrs. Rand. Goodness alone knows. He is as likely to be 
up and off to another quarter of the globe in a day as he 
is to remain home for a month or a year. 

Seers. A veritable globe trotter, eh? 

Mrs. Rand. Say wanderer and you have it. He gets it 
from his father. Since his return from school I don't believe 
that he has spent altogether two years at home. 

Seers. Ah yes. I dare say he will soon take that journey 
from which few return. 

Mrs. Rand (startled). Dear me. You mean death? 

Serrs. My word no. I mean marriage. 



32 The Frozen Trail. 

Mrs. Rand (with a sigh of relief). Oh. 

Seers. I am sorry Mrs. Band if I have frightened you 
by my boorish speech. 

Mrs. Eand. I was somewhat startled I do admit. 

Seers. I am so sorry. 

Mrs. Eand. Pray say no more about it. 

Seers. Thank you. I will venture to say now, Mrs. Eand, 
that should your son marry you would be very lonesome. 

Mrs. Eand. Not more than I am now sometimes. 

Seers. You are? 

Mrs. Eand. Yes very often. 

Seers. I am glad of that. 

Mrs. Eand. I beg your pardon. 

Seers (greatly confused). No-no-no-no-no. I beg your 
pardon. What I meant to say was that I am glad to a — in 
— for seeing that you are — your son — our son — no-no-I-I-I-I- 

Mrs. Band. Yes I think I understand, Mr. Seers. 

Seers. You do? Thank you. I am glad you do. (Mops 
his forehead with his handkerchief) 

Mrs. Eand. Isn't this warm weather we are having, Mr. 
Seers? 

Seers. Very. Very. Shocking weather. It's the humid- 
ity. It annoys me I do assure you. 

Mrs Eand. What were you about to say before our con- 
versation drifted to the weather, Mr. Seers? 

Seers. I was about to say and I trust you will pardon me 
for taking the liberty, that it wouldn't surprise me in the 
least to hear of your marrying again one of these days. 

Mrs. Eand. I, Mr. Seers? 

Seers. Yes. And why not? You are still young, why 
just see what is in favor of such an event. You are in the 
prime of life, you have good common sense, good sound 
judgment, you are gentle, careful, happy and bright of dis- 
position, wise, motherly, loving, just, good natured, trust- 
worthy, wifely, experienced, sincere, glorious, desirous, and — 
and 

Mrs. Eand. Warranted not to bite and will stand with- 
out hitching. 

Seers. I was going it a bit strong, wasn't I? (They both 
laugh) 

ENTEE Helen, followed by Tom. 

Helen. Well if here isn't Papa? Good evening Mrs. 
Eand. 



The Frozen Trail. 33 

Mrs. Eand. Good evening, Helen. Did you have a good 
time? 

Helen. If drinking all kinds of lemonade and eating an 
equal amount of peanuts and popcorn while seeing a real 
wild west show from a wooden seat means a good time I had 
one with a vengeance. As usual I am forgetting my man- 
ners. Mrs. Eand allow me, Mr. Starkie. (Mrs. Eand and 
Tom bow in acknowledgment of the introduction) And 
this, Mr. Starkie, is my father. (Same business) Mr. 
Starkie you know is the Mr. Starkie of whom we have heard 
Cedric speak so often. 

Mrs. Eand. Then I am doubly glad to see him. 

Tom. Thank you. 

Seers. You were with Cedric in the north then, Mr. 
Starkie? 

Tom. For two years and would have been there yet had 
it not been for him. 

Seers. I see. He prevailed upon you to come south. 

Tom. He saved my life. Some time I should like to tell 
you the story. 

Seers. And I should be pleased to hear it. (Clock strikes 
one off stage) Ten-thirty, Helen, it is time we were getting 
home. 

Mrs. Eand. You are surely not going home without a 
glass of wine and a little lunch. I shall have it set out 
in the dining room. You will stop, Mr. Seers? 

Seers. Thank you. 

Mrs. Eand. And you, Mr. Starkie. 

Tom. With pleasure. 

Mrs. Eand. You may all come down in fifteen minutes. 

Tom. Oh I say. Let me help you. I'm quite a hand at 
getting lunches ready and all that sort of thing. Besides 
you cannot do it all yourself and you know the servants 
must have long since gone to bed. 

Mrs. Eand. Do you think you would be of assistance 
and not in the way? 

Tom. Try me. 

Mrs. Eand. Then come along. 

[EXIT d. l. followed by Tom. 

Seers. A glorious woman, Helen. Eh? What? 

Helen. I declare, Papa, you said that in such ardent 
tones that one would think you were in love with Mrs. 
Eand. 



34 The Frozen Trail. 

Seers. In love. Poo-poo. Poo-poo. 

Helen. You may say Poo-poo. But I know the symp- 
toms. 

Seers. Silence, young lady. Love is not a matter to jest 
with. It is a serious consideration I assure you. 

Helen. Yes, I know. 

Seers. You know, do you? How do you know? 

Helen. Oh I can't answer that. How does any girl 
know that she knows, that she knows that love is a serious 
consideration ? 

Seers. It strikes me that young girls nowadays know 
far more than their mothers did at twice their ages. 

Helen. That's advancement, Papa. 

Seers. Stuff and nonsense I call it. 

Helen. Dear me, you old men — 

Seers. Old man — Old man. Who is an old man ? Helen, 
I should be ashamed of myself to speak of my father as 
an old man. 

Helen. I'm sure I didn't mean it that way, Papa. (She 
pats his face and caresses him.) I am sure that you are 
younger by far than Major Tussel. 

Seers. Bah ! That old fool is old enough to be my grand- 
father. 

Helen. And I can mention any number of ladies not 
much older than I am who would jump at a proposal should 
you offer one. 

Seers (smiling and flattered). Do you really think that? 
You flatter me. 

Helen. Indeed I do not. 

Seers. Enough of this nonsense. Tell me what excite- 
ment there was at the wild west show to-night. 

Helen. The real excitement, we didn't see. 

Seers. Indeed. And what was that? 

Helen. It seems that in the dressing room tent some of 
the Indians had been indulging in fire water and the result 
was a free for all fight in which some of the combatants 
were seriously hurt I am told. 

Seers. Terrible — terrible. These things should be better 
managed. 

Mrs. Rand (appears d. l.). Come, folks, the lunch is 
ready. [EXIT d. l. 

Helen. And I am ready for the lunch. Come, Papa. 

[EXIT d. l. 



The Frozen Trail. 35 

Seers (goes up to d. l. and looks off). What a woman! 
What a glorious woman! 

[EXIT d. l. shaking head and sighing with admiration. 

ENTER Bishop d. l. Stands a little up stage. ENTER 
Alaska immediately after. 

Alaska. Has Dr. Moore been here this evening, Bishop? 

Bishop. Not yet, ma'am. 

Alaska. I suppose Mrs. Rand has retired. 

Bishop. She is in the dining room. Shall I tell her you 
are here? 

Alaska. No, I will go to her. 

Bishop. Very good, ma'am. 

Alaska. Thank you, Bishop. [EXIT d. l. 

ENTER Rand d. l. 

Rand. Good evening, Bishop. 

Bishop. Good evening, sir. 

Rand. Mother retired? 

Bishop. Not yet, sir. She is having a luncheon with 
some callers. 

Rand (lighting segar at buffet). Late callers, eh? 

Bishop. Rather, sir. Is there anything I can get for you. 
sir? 

Rand. Nothing, thank you, Bishop. 

Bishop. Yes, sir. Very good, sir. (Crosses and EXITS 
d. r. Rand now has his back toward d. l. Alaska ENTERS 
d. l. with her back toward him. She is agitated. She 
speaks in subdued tones as if to herself.) That was Tom 
Starkie's voice I heard, I could have sworn to it. And yet 
why should I fear to see him, I 

Rand (turns, sees Alaska and starts). Alaska. 

Alaska (turns and faces Rand). Cedric. 

Rand (holds out his hand). I am glad to see you Alaska. 
I knew we should meet again. 

Alaska (takes his hand as one in a dream). Why are 
you here? 

Rand. This is my home. 

Alaska. You are the son of this Mrs. Rand? 

Rand. I am. But you have not told me what you are 
doing here. 

Alaska. I am your mother's friend. You will forgive 
me for seeming dense but— — 



36 The Frozen Trail. 

Rand. You thought I was dead, I understand. Well per- 
haps I should have been had all the boys up there been of 
the same stuff as Doc. Moore. You remember Doc. Moore. 

Alaska. He is my husband. 

Rand. Your husband! You are married then? 

Alaska. Yes. 

Rand (sarcastically). And to him. 

Alaska. Why do you use that tone? 

Rand. You shall never know why from me. 

Alaska. You must tell me. 

Rand. You will never know from me. 

Alaska. Why not? 

Rand. Because from the last day I saw you up in that 
north country I have never ceased to love you as I loved you 
then. 

Alaska. You dare to say this now when you know' that 
I am married. 

Rand. I made a vow in that land of frozen trails that I 
would win you and your love by fair means or foul and I 
shall do it, Alaska. 

Alaska. Cedric, you had more honesty, honor and truth 
in that wild land of snow than you now possess in this 
country of advanced civilization. Up there you would not 
have thought of wounding me and insulting me as you 
have here. And this beneath your mother's roof. 

Rand (with bowed head). I beg your pardon. 

Alaska. Come, let us forget the past. It is right as it is, 
we were not for each other. If I have ever caused you one 
moment's sorrow I regret it and ask your forgiveness. 
(Pause) Have you nothing to say to me? 

Rand. Nothing save that I do not think you gave me a 
square chance to win your love and that I am not to be 
blamed if I sometime take an undue advantage to win that 
which I have lost. 

Alaska. You are right. I have not been altogether hon- 
est with you. The only excuse I can offer is the great love 
I bore and still bear my husband. Pardon me while I bid 
your mother good night. (EXIT d. L. Cedric goes to d. r. c. 
and loohs off as if in meditation.) 

ENTER Tom hurriedly d. l. 

Tom. Hello, Ced. Say, I have a good one for you. As I 
came along the hall just now a lady passed me, it was so 
dark I could not see who it was, yet I sort of felt that it 



The Frozen Trail. 37 

was some one we both knew. Now who do you suppose I 
imagined it was? 

Rand. I can guess that without a second trial. 

Tom. Well, who was it? 

Rand. Alaska. 

Tom. Now how did you guess it? 

Rand. Because it is she. 

Tom. No, tell me on the square, Ced. How did you guess 
it? 

Rand. I have told you. 

Tom (becoming serious). You really mean that, Ced? 

Rand. Upon my word. I just spoke to her. 

Tom. Good Lord! How long have you known this? 

Rand. Not many minutes longer than yourself. We have 
only just got back you know, Tom. It seems she is a friend 
of my mother's. 

Tom. Was she surprised to see you? 

Rand. As much as I was to see her. 

Tom. It's strange she never associated your mother's 
name with you. 

Rand. Perhaps she has, who knows, and if as she says 
that she really thought me dead it isn't likely that she 
would ever broach the subject to my mother. 

Tom. Strange, isn't it? 

Rand. And that's not all. She is married and I dare say 
living near by here. 

Tom. Married, did she say to whom? 

Rand (Rand is about to tell him, then pauses). No 

ENTER Jack d. l. Tom is standing l. Rand r. As Jack 
enters he comes to c. 

Jack. I beg you pardon gentlemen— (Rand and Tom 
turn and loolc at him. They all start simultaneously) 

Tom. You needn't answer my last question, Rand. I can 
understand now who her husband is. 

Jack. I hardly expected to find you gentlemen here. 
Though when I say I am pleased I know you will doubt me. 

Tom. You are right. I for one do doubt you. 

Jack. It would be useless then for me to offer you my 
hand. 

Tom. As far as I am concerned it would be. 

Jack (crosses r. leaving Rand in a). Then I dare say 
Mr. Rand is of the same opinion. 



38 The Frozen Trail. 

Tom. Perhaps you are not aware, Mr. Moore, that I hold 
you responsible for my brother's death. 
Jack. You do wrong to say that. 

ENTER Alaska d. l. She conceals herself hehind the 

curtains. 

Tom. I do wrong. I ? You have the effrontery to say 
this to me ? You, who murdered my brother for what reason 
God alone knows? You who left us all up there in the 
north frozen in, after first stealing the only dogs and 
sled there was to take us out? You say this to me? Had 
I been in your place Doc. Moore or Jack o' Diamonds 
whichever you prefer, while I was doing a life taking bus- 
iness I should have taken my own and done the world as 
great a service as a man of your composition could. 

Jack. Mr. Starkie, I had no intention of killing your 
brother. And from the bottom of my heart, I regret that 
one action, which will cause me sorrow all through my life, 
without any hope of making amends. Up there in Alaska 
we were all mad more or less. I myself was on the verge of 
permanent insanity. The suffering up there was almost 
more than humanity could stand without being crushed. 
From the hour that I temporarily came out of my stupor to 
find that I struck your brother down, I knew no more until 
Cross Fox brought me back to civilization. What more 
can I say except to again offer you my hand and ask your 
forgiveness. 

Rand (with his hand on Tom's shoulder). Take it, Tom. 
Let me have the pleasure of making this up between you 
two men who were at one time comrades and fellow sufferers. 

Tom. My mind has been made up for some months past, 
Rand. You know the oath I took beside the body of my 
brother. Mr. Moore, I give you ample notice to see your 
attorney and make up a defense, for I shall do my best to 
have you tried and convicted of the murder of my brother, 
of which you know as well as we all do, that you are guilty. 

Jack. I see it is altogether useless to say more than I 
have on a matter that is painful to us both. I thank you 
for your advice and will see my attorney and do all in my 
power to prove my innocence. 

Tom (goes up to d. l.). I shall wire my attorneys to-night. 

Rand. One moment, Tom. Let me again implore you to 
take his hand and call all this off. You can do the dead 



The Frozen Trail. 39 

no good and think of the harm you might do the living. 
It is I, your old friend, who asks it. 

Tom. I am sorry, Cedric, but I must refuse. 

Rand. Then as a last resort let me ask you to consider 
Alaska, his wife. She is very dear to him. 

Tom {very quietly). My brother was very dear to me, no 
one knows that better than you do, Rand. Please say no 
more about it. Good-night. 

Rand. You will be back again? 

Tom. When he is gone. Yes. [EXIT d. l. 

Jack (crosses and holds out his hand which Rand tahes). 
I wish to thank you, Rand, for your kind words in my be- 
half. It was good of you. It was kind of you. Good-night. 
(Crosses to d. l.) You have seen Alaska? 

Rand. Yes. She is looking remarkably well. 

Jack. Thank you. Will you tell her when she has fin- 
ished her chat with your mother that I am waiting below in 
the car. 

Rand. Won't you come to the dining-room and 

Jack. You are very kind but I would rather not. I 
wish for a little air. My respects to your mother and good- 
night. [EXIT d. l. 

Rand. Good night. (Starts to exit d. l. and meets 
Alaska who comes from hehind the curtains.) You have 
heard ? 

Alaska (coming down to couch). Every word. What 
shall I do? How can I save him? 

Rand. That I fear will be hard indeed. 

Alaska. Do you believe him guilty? 

Rand. You must remember that I was there. 

Alaska. Why do you evade my question? You do not 
believe him guilty. Else why did you plead for him just 
now? 

Rand. I did that for your sake. 

Alaska. Oh don't, don't say any 'more. Had I never 
known my husband, the tones of his voice as he related his 
sad story just now would have proven to me that he was 
innocent. 

Rand. It will be hard to convince the jury on that 
ground. 

Alaska. Why are you so hard with me, Cedric, you above 
all men. 

Rand. Because I alone have far more reason to feel dif- 
ferently than would other men. 



40 The Frozen TraiL 

Alaska. I will see Tom. I will plead to him. 

Rand. I did that for your sake just now and you heard 
his answer. 

Alaska. I had forgotten that. Oh, I must save him. I 
must save him and you, Cedric, shall help me. 

Rand. I? 

Alaska. Yes. For the old love you cannot refuse me 
now. 

Rand. Don't you understand that Tom is keeping an 
oath he made to his dead brother? 

Alaska. Yes, and he also made one to you the night you 
saved his life. Have you forgotten that? 

Rand. I had until now. 

Alaska. Then hold him to it. 

Rand. I will on one condition. 

Alaska. Ask it. Anything, anything. 

Rand. You mean that? 

Alaska. Yes, yes. For your sake, Cedric, for mine, for 
the old love, save my husband. 

Rand. Then I will get Tom to write a letter to your 
husband recalling all his intentions of having him arrested. 

Alaska. You will do that? 

Rand. And the price 

Alaska. And the price? 

Rand. That you leave here with me for Europe to-night. 

Alaska. Is that what you meant? 

Rand. Don't you see Alaska that this affair to-night has 
put a devil in me. I see my chance to win you at last and 
I am too weak to resist. 

Jack (off stage r.). Are you soon coming, Alaska? 

Alaska. Yes, in a minute, dear. 

Jack (same business). You are there then. I thought I 
heard your voice. 

Rand (he is on the stairs). Come here to-night within an 
hour and I will have the letter. Will you come? 

Alaska (struggles with herself for a moment). Yes, go, 
go quickly. JTCXIT Rand d. l. 

ENTER Jack d. l. 

Jack. I thought you were never coming. 
Alaska. I am ready now, Jack. 

Jack. You look troubled Alaska and — Why, what is the 
matter, are you ill? 

Alaska. No, Jack, I just want to go home. 



The Frozen Trail. 41 

Jack. Then come, we shall leave at once. 

Alaska. You too look sad, dear. Are you? 

Jack. Why should I be with such a wife to cheer me? 

Alaska. You are always kind. 

Jack. Not half as much as I should be. 

Alaska. Jack, if ever in the past you — you 

Jack. Alaska, has Rand been speaking to you? Excuse 
me for my violence, I suppose you must know it some time 
and it is better coming from me than from some one else. 
Though I am innocent, Alaska, I swear that by what ITiold 
dearest on earth, your love, I am innocent with no way of 
proving it. 

Alaska {goes into his arms). Jack, Jack, My husband. 

Jack. Come, my love, we will go home and by our own 
fireside I will tell you, my comforter, the greatest sorrow 
of my life. Come. (With his arm about her they start for 
d. l. Laughter is heard off stage) 

ENTER d. l. Mrs. Rand, Helen and Seers. 

Mrs. Rand. Good evening, Doctor. Going so soon, 
Alaska? 

Alaska. Yes, I am very tired. 

Helen. And just when we were beginning to find out 
that we all knew each other and all had forgotten that we 
had ever met before we saw each other to-night. 

Seers. Helen, for nonsensical speeches, you excel. 

Alaska. Good night everybody. 

Omnes. Good-night. [EXIT d. l. Alaska and Jack. 

Seers. Come, Helen, we must be going. Good-night, Mrs. 
Rand. 

Mrs. Rand. Good-night, Mr. Seers. Good-night, Helen. 

Helen. Good-night. Do you know, Mrs. Rand, I was 
just thinking — 

Seers. For Heaven's sake, Helen, don't get started again 
I beg of you. 

Helen. Isn't that just like a man, Mrs. Rand? They 
always imagine a woman cannot say anything unless it 
takes an age to say it in. 

Seers. There she goes again with some of her nonsense. 
Helen you try to be epigrammatic al and you succeed in 
being decidedly silly. 

Helen. I think I've said enough. Come on, Papa. Good 
night, Mrs. Rand. (She takes Seers by the arm and EXITS 
D. l. Mrs. Rand laughingly calls good-night after them.) 



42 The Frozen Trail. 

ENTER Rand d. l. c. 

Rand. Hello, mother. All the folks gone? 

Mrs. Rand. Yes, Cedric. 

Rand. And now I shall have to chase you off to bed. You 
must get your rest you know. 

Mrs. Rand. Cedric, I wish to ask you something. 

Rand. Well, mother, what is it ? 

Mrs. Rand. How long do you intend to remain home? 

Rand. Why, as long as you wish me to. 

Mrs. Rand. You do not mean that. 

Rand. No. 

Mrs. Rand. Why do you not marry, Cedric? 

Rand (laughs). There must be two for that, mother. 

Mrs. Rand. I should think my life complete if you were 
married. Come tell your mother that she might hope. Is 
there some one who 

Rand. Mother. 

Mrs. Rand (Rand lakes her in liis arms). My boy. 

Rand. Mother, there was some one once. But now — I — I 
don't know, mother. 

Mrs. Rand. Forgive me my boy. I'm just a foolish old 
lady. Good-night, my boy. 

Rand (kisses her). Good-night, mother. 

[EXIT Mrs. Rand d. l. 

ENTER Tom d. l. 

Tom. They have gone? 

Rand. They have. I suppose you did the foolish thing. 
Sent a hasty telegram which you will regret? 

Tom. I'll never regret it. 

Rand. Have a drink old man? 

Tom. Thanks. 

Rand (mixes two high balls at buffet). It's strange that 
we should run into these people to-night, isn't it? 

Tom. It seems more like fate to me. 

Rand. There is no such thing as fate to my way of think- 
ing. If there is, it is the pitchfork on which the devil turns 
us poor mortals about. Here you are, pal. (Hands him 
drink) 

Tom. Thanks. We little thought, Rand, up there in the 
north that we would ever be here in New York drinking high- 
balls. 

Rand. This is a strange world, Tom. Here's how. (They 
both drink) 



The Frozen Trail. 43 

Tom. I should never have been here any way if you 
hadn't saved my life. 

Rand. Pshaw. 

Tom. It's the truth, Rand, and there's no getting away 
from it. 

Rand. Do you remember the promise you gave me? 

Tom. Indeed I do and I wish there was some big thing 
I could do to show you that I meant it. 

ENTER Bishop d. r., crosses and EXITS d. l. 

Rand. Then I am going to hold you to that promise. 
Now listen, Tom. I want you to write a letter and give it 
to me. 

Tom. A letter, is that all? Fire away. To whom? 

Rand (after a pause). To Doc. Moore. 

Tom. Moore ! 

Rand. Tell him you have withdrawn your prosecution. 

Tom. Good God, Rand, do you know what you are ask- 
ing? 

Rand. Perfectly. 

Tom. Oh, I can't do it, Rand, I can't. 

Rand. For my sake. 

Tom. That man killed my brother. I have sworn to see 
him punished. I'll do it, so help me 

Rand. Tom! Don't say it old man, don't say it. 

Tom. Ask me anything else but that, Rand, anything. 

Rand. Let me show you where 

Tom. No, Cedric. No. I made a vow to my dead brother 
and I mean to keep it. Understand me, I mean to keep it. 

Rand. But your promise to me. 

Tom. Please, Rand, don't say anything about that. 
Think of my brother. 

Rand. Haven't I been a brother to you, Tom? 

Tom. That's enough. I'll do it. 

Rand (takes him by the hand). I knew you would, old 
man, I knew you would. (Tom goes to desk, sits and writes) 

ENTER Bishop d. l. Speaks to Rand aside. 

Bishop. There is a lady down stairs to see you, sir. 
Rand. Show her in when Mr. Starkie leaves, Bishop. 
Bishop. Yes, sir. [EXIT p. l. 

Tom (hands Rand a letter). Here you are, Ced. This is 
for your sake. We will never say a word about this again. 
Rand. Never a word if you do not wish it. This is not 



44 The Frozen Trail. 

going to make any difference between you and me, is it, 
Tom? 

Tom (shaking him by the hand). Only to make us better 
friends than ever. 

Rand. I will see that you never regret this. I have a 
caller, Tom. You will excuse me, I know. 

Tom. Of course, old man. 

Rand. You will pardon me if I turn down the lamp. 
(Does so) 

Tom. Certainly! (All lights go out but the lamp) Good 
night. [EXIT d. l. 

ENTER Alaska d. l. Crosses r. Rand turns up lamp. 
Lights half up. 

Alaska. You have succeeded? 

Rand. You have come. 

Alaska. You have succeeded? 

Rand. Yes. 

Alaska. The letter. 

Rand. Here. 

Alaska. Oh give it to me. Give it to me, please. 

Rand. And your promise? 

Alaska. My husband's safety comes first. 

Rand. Do you love him as much as that Alaska? 

Alaska. Love him. If you only knew how much. 

Rand. But your promise to go with me. 

Alaska. Give me the letter please. 

Rand. Here. (Hands her the letter) 

Alaska. And now let me go to my husband. 

Rand. One moment. (He locks the door and puts the 
key in his pocket) Alaska I love you, you know that. 
To-night you made me a promise. I have fulfilled my part 
and I am base enough, low enough if you will, to hold you 
to yours. 

Alaska. Ced, think, you are a man, think of the old 
life, think 

Rand. I can think of nothing save that you are here. 

Alaska. Cedric. Please. 

Rand. Alaska, you don't know how I have hungered for 
a sight of you all these years. You loved me once, you 
will do so again. You are here alone, with me, you are 
mine. (Takes her forcibly in his arms) 

Alaska. Cedric, remember I — I 

Rand. I remember nothing. 



The Frozen Trail. 45 

Alaska. If not for my sake, for your mother's. Re- 
member this is her home. (Rand releases her. Her cloak 
drops to the floor) Oh, I know, Cedric, it must be hard 
for you, old friend. But what ean I do? As you love me 
so do I love my husband. Even now after all this, I find 
that I can esteem you as one of the few men who can be a 
real friend. Come old friend, give me the key and let me 
go. 

Rand. Then I can never have any hope? 

Alaska. Never. 

Rand (goes to door, unlocks it). Go. Go quickly please. 
(A knock comes to d. l.) Is that you, Bishop? 

Jack. No, it is I. Moore. 

Alaska. My husband. 

Rand. Quick, the curtains. (Alaska conceals herself he~ 
hind curtains d. r. c.) 

Rand (gulps down a drink of whiskey). Come in. 

ENTER Jack d. l. 

Jack. Am I disturbing* you? 

Rand. Not at all. 

Jack. I could not sleep and I did not wish to disturb 
my wife, so I came to you to ask your advice as to the best 
manner for me to proceed in this matter. I think you are 
one of my new friends. (Holds out his hand. Rand reluc- 
tantly takes it) Thanks — Thanks. (Jack sees cloak on floor. 
He picks it up and starts) 

ENTER Mrs. Rand d. l. c. 

Rand (goes to his mother. Aside). Mother, get him away 
from here. 

Mrs. Rand. Why? 

Rand. His wife is here. 

Mrs. Rand. God. 

Jack (to Rand). Has my wife been here since we left 
together. 

Rand. No. 

Jack. Then what is her cloak doing here? 

Mrs. Rand. That is mine, Dr Moore. You see they are 
alike. 

Jack. I beg your pardon. (He is about to hand her the 
cloak) One moment. (He examines the cloak — then to 
Rand) You have lied to me. My wife's monogram is on 
this cloak. She is here and I shall find her. 



46 The Frozen Trail. 

ENTER Alaska from behind curtains. 

Alaska. Jack. 

Jack. You. 

Alaska. Yes. Please take me home. 

Jack. You here and alone. 

Alaska. I came to save you. See I have- 



Jack. You came here alone, that is enough. Oh, I should 
have known it. It is in your blood. It is the Indian strain. 
(To Rand) As for you I suppose I should kill you, and I 
will. We shall meet again. 

Rand. As you please. 

Alaska. Jack, Jack, it is for my love that I came here. 

Jack. Your love. I can believe now that it never existed. 
You have all lied to me. My wife more so than the rest. She 
has lived a lie all these years. 

Alaska. Jack, I love you. You don't understand. Let 
me explain. 

Jack. I want no explanation. You have brought your 
love here. Now stay here with it together with your shame. 
Good-night. [EXIT d. l. 

Alaska. Jack, Jack. (Falls to sitting position on -floor 
beside table, her head buried in her arms) 

Rand. Mother, take care of her. 

[EXIT d. r. with lowered head. 

Mrs. Rand. Alaska. 

Alaska. Leave me for a few moments, please. 

Mrs. Rand. As you will. (EXIT d. r. The curtains at 
d. r. c. slowly part and Cross Fox appears in doorway. He 
comes down slowly) 

Cross Fox. 'Laska. 

Alaska (looks up and starts). You — You. Father. How 
came you here? 

Cross Fox. Me here with big show. Me see Rand. Me 
trail. See him come here. Me wait. Me see you come here. 
Me watch. Me see you there. (Points to balcony) Me 
climb up. Me find you. (He staggers and drops to couch) 

Alaska. You are ill. 

Cross Fox. Ugh. Me sick. Drink much fire water. Get 
in big fight. See ? (He bares his breast and shows ugly cut) 

Alaska. I'll send for a doctor. 

Cross Fox. No! L T gh. Medicine man do no good. Me 
soon go to happy hunting grounds. Me want to say much. 
Ugh. Much hurt. (Puts his hand on his breast) You 



The Frozen Trail. 47 

know. Me want you much happy. You Doc. Moore squaw. 
Me want him happy. Me soon see Great Spirit, then me 
happy. First me speak all. Me kill Joe Starkie. 

Alaska. You, father? 

Cross Fox. Ugh. Me! Quick say good-bye like white 
man. Quick, me go. Great Spirit call. 

Alaska. Father, my father. (She hisses him) 

Cross Fox. Ugh. Now me go happy. (Falls hack on 
couch. Alaska goes up to d. r. and calls off softly) 

Alaska. Mrs. Eand. (Mrs. Band ENTEKS d. r. Alaska 
goes to Cross Fox) Father — Father, say again. Father, 
speak about Doc. Moore. 

Cross Fox. Me kill Joe Starkie. Doc. Moore, him no do 
it. Him drunk, him crazy. Me tell him, him do it, him 
believe. See. (He goes through the same movements as in 
second act when he hilled Joe Starkie) Doc. Moore him 
here, him sleep. Joe Starkie, him here. Me hate him. Me 
take Doc. Moore knife. See. (He goes through business of 
hilling Joe, and placing hnife beside Jack) Jack, him wake. 
Him crazy. Me say you kill Joe. Him cry like squaw. See. 
Much snow, Ugh. Me read stars. No cry. Come Doc. out- 
side, dogs, sleigh. Me take you south. Laska love you like 
flower love sun. When you no come she die. Come, much 
happy. Come, Laska, she wait. Not your fault I swear by 
Great Spirit. (He falls to couch) Laska me kill Joe. Say 
good-bye, like white man. 

Alaska. Father — Father. (She hisses him) 

Cross Fox. See much sunset on snow. Hark wind. See 
— See. Great Chiefs. Ugh, me come, Ugh, me come. Laska 
say good-bye, like white man. (He falls bach dead) 

Alaska. Dead. My father dead. (She goes to the man- 
tel, tahes down flowers and lays them on his breast. EXIT 
Mrs. Eand d. r. Alaska stands behind couch) Alone — 
Alone. The last of a great race. The curse of the Beothics 
has fallen. I am the last of my race, shunned by mankind 
and left deserted and alone. Oh, Great Spirit of my people 
look down on me and help me. It is the last daughter of 
your race who speaks. Oh, Great Spirit. Oh help me and 
take me to the land of my fathers. (With arms upraised and 
spread in Indian supplication) 

CUETAIN, 



48 The Frozen Trail. 



ACT IV. 

Scene. — Same as Act III. Summer afternoon. A white 
flood-light replaces blue light, back of double doors. At 
rise DISCOVERED Tom lighting a cigar at buffet. 
Bell rings off l. ENTER Bishop d. r. 

Bishop. Mr Band will see you in a few minutes sir. 

Tom. Tell him not to hurry on my account. I will smoke 
a cigar on the balcony. 

Bishop. Yes, sir. Very good, sir. (EXITS d. l. Tom 
goes out on balcony and EXITS d. r. c. ENTER Bishop 
d. l. followed by Helen) I will tell Mr. Rand you are here, 
Miss. TEXITS d. r. 

ENTER Seers d. l. all out of breath. 

Seers. My dear child. Why will you insist upon running 
upstairs? You know it is quite impossible for me to follow 
you, I declare I am all out of breath. (Sits r. and mops 
his forehead) 

Helen. I did it to punish you for insisting that I call 
here with you. Why did you do it? 

Seers. For reasons which you are -not to know. 

Helen. But why? 

Seers. Because. 

Helen. Pshaw. That's a woman's reason. 

Seers. Therefore you can better understand it. 

Helen. Now that we are here, what shall we do. (She 
goes about examining furniture, etc.) 

Seers. We shall wait for one thing. I came here to see 
Cedric. 

Helen. What for? 

Seers. Helen, will you please sit down and stop that pry- 
ing about? Pray remember we are here as callers, not as 
second hand furniture buyers. You positively make me 
nervous, you really do. 

Helen. Papa, am I the only one who makes you nervous? 

Seers. Eh, why do you ask that? 



The Frozen Trail. 49 

Helen. I don't know, only you act the same way in Mrs. 
Rand's presence. 

Seers. Helen, for a young girl of your age you are alto- 
gether too — too — too, I was going to say impudent. 

Helen. And you meant observing. 

Seers. I meant nothing of the sort. 

Helen. That's a pretty rose you have in your coat, Papa. 

Seers. Do you really think so, my dear? 

Helen. Yes, and Mrs. Eand is so fond of roses. 

Seers. Helen, will you please keep quiet? 

Helen. Papa, I am worried about you. Upon my word 
you are so nervous that one would think you really were in 
love with Mrs. Rand. 

Seers. Who told you that ? 

Helen (surprised). Why, Papa. 

Seers. There, there, I'm getting quite warm. This room 
is over heated. Helen, please take a walk on the balcony and 
cool yourself off. 

Helen. I'm quite comfortable here, Papa. 

Seers. Will you do as I bid you? 

Helen. Yes, Papa. I have some purchases to make and 
will walk across the park to the shops. (Goes to d. l.) And, 
Papa — 

Seers. Well what is it? 

Helen. I hope she will make you a good wife. 

[EXIT laughing d. l. 

Seers. Damn it. There, that girl has made me lose my 
temper to say nothing of my equilibrium. I feel that I am 
quite upset. 

ENTER Rand d. r. 

Rand. Good afternoon, Mr. Seers. 

Seers. Cedric, my dear boy, I am delighted to see you. 
(Takes Rand by the hand) 

Rand. I am sorry I have kept you waiting. 

Seers. Don't mention it, dear boy. Don't say a word 
about it. I have come this afternoon, Cedric, to talk with 
you upon a matter of great importance. 

Rand. Won't you be seated? 

Seers. Thank you. (Sits l. and Rand sits r.) My boy, 
have you ever thought of getting married. 

Rand. I have always understood that it is a holy institu- 
tion, and a good thing for both man and woman. 



50 The Frozen Trail. 

Seers. It is a grand thing, my boy. No family should be 
without it. 

Hand. Eh. 

Seers. I mean that every man should take a wife. It is 
a comfort and a blessing that God intended we poor mortals 
should all enjoy. 

Rand. Do you say this because you have been married? 

Seers. Yes, and because I wish to marry again. 

Hand. Again? I congratulate you. 

Seers. But you do not ask me who the lady is. 

Rand. Would you care to tell me? 

Seers. It is for that very reason that I called upon you. 
Cedric, I have had the honor to ask your mother to become 
my wife. 

Rand. My mother? 

Seers. You are surprised. 

Rand. I must confess that I am somewhat. 

Seers. You are displeased? 

Rand. Quite the contrary. 

Seers. I am indeed glad to hear that. Now, all that is 
needed is your consent. 

Rand. My consent did you say? 

Seers. Indeed, yes. Your mother informed me that I 
would have to secure that before she would give me a de- 
cisive answer. 

Rand. Mr. Seers, my happiness now only lies in the hap- 
piness of my mother. I offer you my hand and with it my 
heart-felt wishes that you may both partake of all of this 
life's blessings. You are taking a woman, sir, of whose 
kind God placed only two upon this earth. (Seers takes him 
by the hand) 

Seers. Thank you, my boy. Thank you. 

Rand. Would you care to step into my room, Mr. — Now 
that you are to be my father, what shall I call you? 

Seers. Call me — Let me see — Call me Governor. 

Rand. Governor. 

Seers. By Heaven, that sounds mighty good to me. 

[EXIT Rand d. r. followed by Seers 

ENTER Helen d. l. and Tom d. r. c. 

Helen. Oh, I beg your pardon. 

Tom. It is I who should apologize for frightening you, 

Helen. You didn't frighten me. 

Tom. No? 



The Frozen Trail. 51 

Helen. No. I was surprised to see you that was all. 

Tom. And disappointed? 

Helen. No, just surprised. I understood you were out 
of town. 

Tom. I was going up to shoot at the VanCurlers but I 
have so few friends in that set I was afraid the hunting 
would lack sociability, so I remained at home. 

Helen. You seem to have so few friends anywhere. Do 
you know, Mr. Starkie, you strike me as being a lonesome 
sort of a man. 

Tom. I am sometimes. 

Helen. I should think that you would have your rela- 
tions continually about you. 

Tom. I have none. 

Helen. None at all? 

Tom. My brother Joe was killed up north. And when I 
returned home I found that my mother had preceeded him 
on the lonely trail. 

Helen. I am sorry that I brought up so a painful a sub- 
ject. 

Tom. Of course I know you didn't do it in the spirit of 
gossip. Come, let us sit here and talk on less painful sub- 
jects. {They sit on couch l.) 

Helen. Very well, what shall we talk about? 

Tom. I'm sure I don't know. 

Helen. Surely we cannot sit here like two wallflowers 
and say nothing. 

Tom. Miss Seers, if the opportunity presented itself to 
you to do a great Christian and charitable act I don't think 
you would refuse, would you. 

Helen. Why, of course not. 

Tom. You know the years that I have spent up north have 
blunted my refinement and proper speech, so if what I am 
going to say is not couched in proper terms you will pardon 
me, won't you? 

Helen. Certainly. Whose throat is it that you want me 
to cut. 

Tom. Eh. 

Helen. I haven't the faintest idea what you are about to 
say. But if it is anything like your manner it must be a 
deep-dyed plot for a murder or something equally as pleasant. 

Tom (laughs). It is not quite as bad as that but almost. 

Helen. Then please do not keep me in suspense. 

Tom. I won't. You see you're the best girl I ever met 



53 The Frozen Trail. 

and a prince of good fellows and all that sort of thing and 
as I said before I wanted you to do a great Christian act. 
Will you make yourself miserable for the rest of your life? 
(Aside) Thank Heaven I have proposed at last. 

Helen. Mr. Starkie. How long have you felt this way? 

Tom. I beg your pardon. 

Helen. Really, I am willing to make myself miserable 
or anything else that you might desire. If you will only 
tell me how. 

Tom. Why, by marrying me. 

Helen. Is this a proposal? 

Tom. What did you think it was ? 

Helen. You haven't given me time to think. 

Tom. And you haven't given me an answer yet. 

Helen. You are original to say the least. 

Tom. Helen, I love you. But then you're a woman and 
probably knew that before I did myself. 

Helen. You are really refreshing. 

Tom. I am glad there is something about me that you 
fancy. 

Helen. And you love me? 

Tom. From the first day I saw you. (Helen sighs) Do 
you feel as bad as all that about it? 

Helen. It is not that. I really don't know what to say. 
It is all so strange. 

Tom. Strange? 

Helen. Yes, strange that I love you and you love me. 

Tom (delighted). You love me? 

Helen. From the first day I saw you. 

Tom (holds out his arms). Helen. 

Helen. Tom. (They embrace) 

Tom. Oh, if I could only give one loud yell. 

Helen. I feel the same way. 

Tom. Say, let's yell together. 

Seers (off stage R.). Very well, Cedric, in the morning 
at ten. Now mark you, be on time. 

Rand (off stage r.). I shall. 

Helen (startled). Here comes Papa. 

Tom (same business). Wa — wa — what shall I do? 

Helen. Hold me tighter. (Tom hugs her closer. Seers 
ENTERS r. chuckling to himself. He sees Tom and Helen 
and immediately his manner changes) 

Seers. Helen! Upon my soul. What are you doing? 

Helen. Nothing, Papa. Tom is doing it all. 



^The Frozen Trail. 53 

Seers. And you, sir. Never in all my life — How the 
devil dare you, sir? 

Helen. Don't you run away, Tom. 

Tom. I won't. 

Helen. Hold me closer. 

Tom. With pleasure. 

Seers. What is this all about, sir. Do you realize that 
you are hugging my daughter in the most unbecoming fash- 
ion and right before her father's eyes. , 

Tom. Am I? How strange. I never noticed it? 

Seers. God bless my soul. Are you trying to make a fool 
of me? 

Helen. Papa, we are engaged. 

Seers. You are what? 

Tom. We are engaged to be married. 

Seers. My consent is necessary to further any such pro- 
cedure. 

Tom. But I don't intend to marry you, Mr. Seers. 

Seers. By General Jackson and New Orleans I warn you 
to be careful young man, I am losing my temper. Helen! 

Helen. Bising. — Yes, Papa. 

Seers. Come with me. (Goes to d. l.) 

Helen. Yes, sir. (She follows him. Tom goes to door 
leading on balcony. Seers is arranging his somewhat ruf- 
fled dress, he does not notice Helen and Tom, who are 
throwing Msses to each other. He turns and catches them 
in the act) 

Seers. Helen ! 

Helen. Yes, Papa. 

Seers. My arm. (She takes his arm) Mr. Starkie. 

Tom. Your honor. 

Seers. Good afternoon. 

Helen. Papa, wouldn't it be funny if both our marriages 
took place on the same day? 

Seers. Come at once. (Helen laughs. He almost drags 
her off d. l.) 

ENTEB Band d. r. 

Band. Good morning, Tom. 

Tom. Hello, Band. Excuse me for a moment, will you? 
Fm going to be married. 

Band. You are what? 

Tom. Not now of course. I'll tell you all about it later. 
(He goes out on the balcony and off l. The bell rings off l.) 



54 The Frozen Trail. 

ENTER Bishop d. r. and crosses to l. 

Rand. Bishop, were there any letters for me in the last 
mail? 

Bishop. One, sir, was brought by Mr. Moore's servant. It 
is on the table. 

Rand. That will do Bishop, thank you. You can answer 
the bell. 

Bishop. Very good, sir. (Bishop EXITS d. l. Rand 
picks up letter from the table and reads — He starts — crushes 
up the letter and sinks in the chair l. of table, ENTER 
Bishop d. l.) Mr. Moore, sir — 

ENTER Jack d. l. He is somewhat disheveled and care- 
worn. EXIT Bishop d. r. Rand rises. 

Jack. Tou got my letter. 

Rand. I have just read it. 

Jack. Tou have decided? 

Rand. Yes, that you are mistaken. 

Jack. I see. Then you are coward enough to deny me the 
only manly atonement you might have offered. 

Rand. There again you are mistaken. 

Jack. You accept? 

Rand. On conditions. 

Jack. There is only one course for you to take and that 
allows no conditions. 

Rand. Very well, then, I am ready. (Jack crosses to be- 
hind table R. He takes out two revolvers which he lays on 
table) 

Jack. Your choice. (Rand without looking at them 
touches one. Jack takes the other and goes back l.) Your 
clock is now five minutes to four. We will stand back to 
back and at the last stroke of the hour we will turn and fire. 
Is it agreed? 

Rand. Yes, but before we go on with this I have some- 
thing to say to you. 

Jack. I will hear nothing. 

Rand. Do you fully realize the consequences of this ac- 
tion, no matter how fate decides it? 

Jack. I have thought and I am prepared for the worst. 
My home has been destroyed. My wife to me is a stranger 
and you are the cause. There is but one way in which I 
can get but faint satisfaction and I have chosen that way. 
If you are a man you will accept. 



The Frozen Trail. 55 

Band You do not seem to comprehend me or will not. 
It if not fear that prompts my s P eak \ n ?i/ at ^ ^flX 
Pleased? I know there is hnt one way to set this whole affair 
right and I meet it gladly. But your wife— 

Jack Kindly refrain from bringing her name into this. 

E AND . You will pardon me but I really must You for- 
get that but for her and hers you would not be here, 
get that but her gav . ng my lifo up nQrth h i 

was suspected of being a road agent. By now you ™£jnow 

or have very good grounds for suspicion that I was tne 

highwaymL What I did up there was from the spirit .of 

adventure not from malice or for gain. I never harmed a 

soul and those that I took from, have received over twice 

^amount Sey lost. As for Mr. Starkie's brother when 

that terrible deed was committed I was mad with the tever. 

Band. Then you have not heard— _ 

Jack. I have heard nothing, nor do I care to. Oome, we 

have but two minutes. vindi- 

Band Then in those two minutes let me at least vindi 

cate the character of your wife. Moore, she « as pure and 

innocent as the first day you met her. 

Jack. I cannot believe you. (Band sits at the table ana 

Wr TuJn Moore in a few seconds I will be no more, of that 
I ?m positive I ha Y e written here that I have taken my 
owTliCthat will insure your safety. Now will you let 

me explain? . 

Jack. It is time. Are you ready ( 
Band. Yes, for I have done my best (He irises They 

stand lack to bach Rand « R., ■ Jack" ^^"X 
the hour. At the second stroke Tom ENlhKb from w 
balcony" At the third stroke he is down c. Rand and .Jack 
turn to fire. Rand does not raise his revolver. Jack and 
Band are both startled and surprised) 

Jack. You? 

Tom Yes. 

Jack. Wiil you kindly step out of the way? 

Tom. I will not. 

Kand. Kindly leave us, Tom. 

Tom I am sorry, but I must reluse. 

Ja?k Perhaps you do not realize what you are doing 

Tom It is evident to me that both you gentlemen fail to 
remember that you are living in the 20th century. 



56 The Frozen Trail. 

Jack. This affair has to do only with Mr. Eand and my- 
self. 

Tom. There is reason in all things. 

Jack. Not in this. 

Tom. Yes, even in this. Perhaps you forget that up to a 
few hours ago I thought you guilty of my brother's death. 
I had sworn to be revenged upon you, yet before I knew 
you were innocent, I found it in my heart to forgive you 
and thus give up the sole object of my existence. You 
have not been in town and therefore do not know that Cross 
Fox 

Jack. Will you please stand out of the way? 

Tom. I repeat that I will not. 

Jack. Then take the consequences. When I count three 
I 6hall fire. One — Two 

ENTER Alaska d. l. followed loy Mrs. Eand. 

Alaska. Jack. 

Jack {lowers his gun). Alaska. 

Alaska {speaks quietly, almost in a whisper). Has there 
not been enough blood shed, why must there be more? He 
did wrong, you are mistaken, I am to blame and my father 
was the cause. 

Jack. I don't understand. 

Alaska. He died in this room a few days ago confessing 
that he killed Joe Starkie. 

Jack. I 

Alaska (to Rand). Will you tell him the truth? 

Rand. Yes. Moore, you know what I thought of Alaska 
up in that north country, you know that I loved her and 
until you came, I was at least the favored one. Like the 
rest of the boys I thought you killed Joe Starkie and when 
I returned home and found that you had married the wo- 
man I loved, I was fool enough to think that I might win 
her at the price of your safety. I prevailed upon Tom 
Starkie to write a letter, recalling all charges against you 
and to abandon all hopes of having you arrested. It was at 
my suggestion that your wife came to my room to receive 
the letter that would save you. I don't know what she said 
to me except to show me what a base creature I was. She 
was just leaving the room as you came in. There are some 
things in this world that are considered terrible when they 
are pitiful, how pitiful Heaven alone knows, and this is one 
pf them. 



The Frozen Trail. 57 

Alaska (to Jack). You have heard the truth. 

Jack. Alaska, I have wronged you even beyond insult. 
Dare I hope to have you forgive me and to take me home 
again. 

Alaska. Jack. (She holds out ooth her hands to him. 
He takes them in his own, kisses them and folds her in his 
arms. Together they walk to d. l. At the door Alaska turns 
to Mrs. Band. She speaks aside) Tell him that I forgive 
him and that I said good-bye. (She EXITS with Jack d. l. 
Tom comes dovjn and takes Rand by the hand) 

Tom. Pal. 

Eand. Tom. 

Tom. I'm sorry, old man. 

Eand. Thank you. 

Tom. Take my advice, get away, try to forget. 

Eand (smiles sadly). Try to forget? Yes (Tom shakes 
him by the hand again, then goes up and speaks to Mrs. 
Eand aside) 

Tom. You can be his only comfort now. I am thankful 
for his sake that you are his mother. (He kisses the hand 
and exits d. l. Eand thinking they have all gone notices the 
revolver on the table and slowly raises it to his temple. Dur* 
ing the business Mrs. Eand is slowly coming toward him. 
She lays her hand gently on his arm anl speaks in a whis- 
per) 

Mrs. Eand. Cedric. 

Eand (folds his mother in his arms and buries his face 
on her shoulder). Mother — Mother — Mother. 

Mrs. Eand. My boy, dare I trust you? 

Eand. For your sake, mother, yes. 

Mrs. Eand. Hold me closer, Cedric, and call me mother 
just as you did when a boy. I understood all your sorrows 
then, I understand them now. 

Eand. Mother, my mother. (He kisses her) 

Mrs. Eand. My boy. (With bowed head EXITS d. l.) 

Eand. Tom was right. I must forget. Forget? Will I 
ever forget. (He pulls bell cord. Then sits l. of table, his 
elbow on the table, his head resting on his hand) 

ENTEE Bishop d. r. 

Bishop. Did you ring, sir? 

Eand (without turning around). Is that you, Bishop? 

Bishop. Yes, sir. 

Eand. Bishop, I want you to pack up, I am going away. 



58 The Frozen Trail. 

Bishop. Do you go alone, sir? 

Eand. Yes. 

Bishop. May I ask where to sir? 

Rand. Back to the land of forgotten pasts. Back on the 
Frozen Trail. {He drops his head in his arm across the 
table. Bishop stands c. with bowed head) 

SLOW CURTAIN. 



THE MAN FROM MAINE 

A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS 
By CHARLES TOWNSEND 

PRICE 25 CENTS 

Nine male, three female characters ^ZZ^oT^^, 
wealthy New Yorker, a young lawyer a swel Enghsh lo ^ 

black sheep; a dude, a Bowery bruiser, Billy the to, * J Time 

A social leader, a woman with a history, a Daisy Maine wna 
of playing, 2% hours. 4 interior scenes. 

SYNOPSIS OF INCIDENTS. 
Act I -Van Cruger's vanity. The letter. A cool reception. Mrs. 
Bradley's cunning. The question. The threat. 

Act II-A week later. Some hot words. The decoy letter. A game 
of cards. The biter bitten. „ 

Act HI -A day later. Phil's scheme. A specimen tough. An 
untfmdy arrival I shrewd adventuress. A brutal couple. The threat. 
A desperate game. ^ Bum 

A htrd E2\tU% ^arrival" 'a struggle' for life. Muggins 
fcarns a lessom ^ ^ ^ 

Male's ^riencenrght to bay. The last resort. Foiled. 



Timothy Delano's Courtship 

COMEDY IN TWO ACTS 

By MARTHA R. ORNE 

PRICE IS CENTS 

Two male, three female character, A rich ^^".^gHt 
^^o^S^^Sn^sS Parlor LnV 

SYNOPSIS OF INCIDENTS. 

Act I.-The old aunt insists on her niece accepting old Timothy. Rick s 
little game and the darkey's strategy. „♦„„:,* 

Act II.-The scheme works. Timothy hears some things which astonish 
him His escape. Aunt Tabitha catches him on the rebound, and be stars 
caught. 



Squire Thompkin's Daughter 

A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS, BY ARTHUR L. BUZZELL. 

PRICE 25 CENTS 

Five male, two female characters. They consist of two farmers, a 
banker and his accomplice, a youthful lover, a farmer's wife and daughter 
Time of playing, 2% hours. A finely drawn story of rascality, misplaced 
confidence and retribution. 

SYNOPSIS OF INCIDENTS. 

AcT I-— Scene, the farmhouse sitting-room. The declaration. The 
temptation. Signing the mortgage. Millie's departure. 

Act II.— Same scene, a year later. The raised notes. Foreclosure of 
the mortgage. Eviction. 

Act III.— Scene, Millie's room in city boarding house. Disclosure of the 
plot Friends on the track. The attempted murder. Millie's fearful 
mistake. 

Act IV. — Scene in a street, afterwards room in a cheap boarding house. 
Millie falls into the trap for her betrayal. Destruction of the notes. The 
fire. The escape. 

Act V.— Scene, the banker's parlor. The friend in disguise. The mock 
parson. Foiled. Millie's rescue. Redemption of the farm. 



In the Absence of Susan 

A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS, BY A. C. THOMPSON. 

PRICE 25 CENTS 

Four male, six female characters. An elderly gentleman, two young 
men, a sailor. A middle-aged lady, her two daughters, a young lady friend, 
a gossip and a maidservant. Time of playing, about 2 hours. An elabo- 
rately worked-out character comedy. 1 interior and 1 exterior scenes. 

SYNOPSIS OF INCIDENTS. 

AcT I - — Susan, the house tyrant. Dick awaits Geoffrey's arrival. The 
meeting at the cliff. The adventure. Departure of Susan. 

Act II.— Two days later. The letter to Susan. The recognition. 
Carrots! Preparations for festivities. Love making. 

Act III. — The game of tennis. The masquerade. Susan's letter. Con- 
sternation. Jane and her sailor. Return of Susan and her intended husband. 
Susan squelched. "Not a word, now." Engagements galore. 




$sssss$sss$s^$sssssssss$$sss$ss$^ 




MILITARY PLAYS 

25 CENTS EACH 

BY THE ENEMY'S HAND. 4 Acts; 2 hours 10* 4 

EDWARDS, THE SPY. 5 Acts; 2^ hours 10 4 

PRISONER OF ANDERSON VILLE. 4 Acts; 234 hours.. 10 4 

CAPTAIN DICK. 3 Acts; iy 2 hours 9 6 

ISABEL,, THE PEARL, OF CUBA. 4 Acts; 2 hours 9 3 

LITTLE SAVAGE. 3 Acts; 2 hours; 1 Stage Setting 4 4 

BY FORCE OF IMPULSE. (15 cents.) 5 Acts; 2^ hours 9 3 

BETWEEN TWO FIRES. (15 cents.) 3 Acts; 2 hours 8 3 



RURAL PLAYS 

25 CENTS EACH 

MAN FROM MAINE. 5 Acts; 2^ hours 9 3 

AMONG THE BERKSHIRES. 3 Acts; 2J| hours 8 4 

OAK FARM. 3 Acts; 2% hours; 1 Stage Setting 7 4 

GREAT WINTERSON MINE. 3Acts;2hours 6 4 

SQUIRE THOMPKINS' DAUGHTER. 5 Acts; 2^ hours 5 2 

WHEN A MAN'S SINGLE. 3 Acts; 2 hours 4 4 

FROM PUNKIN RIDGE. (15 cents.) 1 Act; 1 hour... 6 3 

LETTER FROM HOME. (15 cents.) 1 Act; 25 minutes 1 1 



ENTERTAINMENTS 

25 CENTS EACH 

AUNT DINAH'S QUILTING PARTY. 1 Scene 5 11 

BACHELOR MAIDS' REUNION. 1 Scene 2 30 

IN THE FERRY HOUSE. 1 Scene; 1^ hours 19 15 

JAPANESE WEDDING. 1 Scene; 1 hour 3 10 

MATRIMONIAL EXCHANGE. 2 Acts; 2 hours 6 9 

OLD PLANTATION NIGHT. 1 Scene; 1*4 hours 4 4 

YE VILLAGE SKEWL OF LONG AGO. 1 Scene. 13 12 

<| FAMILIAR FACES OF A FUNNY FAMILY 8 11 

" — lg or Recitation 11 

es 15 14 

8 

One copy del. to Cat. Div ' 1 Act ; n^ours 1 13 

(15 cents) 11 



III! 22 19i I 



ers, 18 Ann Street, N. Y, 




jut ~ 

JUL 22 1911 



COMEDIES AND 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





25 CENTS EACH 



016 103 924 A * 



BREAKING HIS BONDS. 4Acts; 2 hours 6 3 

BUTTERNUT'S BRIDE. 3 Acts; 2y 2 hours. 11 6 

COLLEGE CHUMS. 3 Acts; 2 hours; 1 Stage Setting 9 3 

COUNT OF NO ACCOUNT. 3 Acts; 2}£ hours 9 4 

DEACON. 5 Acts; 2\i hours. « H 

DELEGATES FROM DEBTEE. 2 Acts; 45 minutes 3 10 

DOCTOR BY COURTESY. 3 Acts; 2 hours 6 5 

EASTSIDERS, The. 3 Acts; 2 hours; 1 Stage Setting . . 8 4 

ESCAPED FROM THE LAW. 5 Acts; 2 hours 7 4 

GIRL FROM PORTO RICO. 3 Acts; 2y 2 hours 5 3 

GYPSY QUEEN. 4 Acts; 23^ hours 5 3 

IN THE ABSENCE OF SUSAN. 3 Acts; 1^ hours 4 6 

JAIL BIRD. 5 Acts; 2^ hours 6 3 

JOSIAH'S COURTSHIP. 4 Acts; 2 hours 7 4 

MY LADY DARRELL, 4Acts; 2% hours 9 6 

MY UNCLE FROM INDIA. 4 Acts; 2^ hours 13 4 

NEXT DOOR. 3 Acts; 2 hours 5 4 

PHYLLIS'S INHERITANCE. 3 Acts; 2 hours 6 9 

REGULAR FLIRT. 8 Acts; 2 hours 4 4 

ROGUE'S LUCK. 3 Acts; 2 hours 5 3 

SQUIRE'S STRATAGEM. 5 Acts; 2% hours 6 4 

STEEL KING. 4Acts; 2^ hours 5 3 

WHAT'S NEXT? 3 Acts; 2)4 hours 7 4 

WHITE LIE. 4Acts; 2^ hours 4 3 

WESTERN PLAYS 

25 CENTS EACH 

ROCKY FORD. 4Acts;2hours 8 3 

GOLDEN GULCH. 3 Acts; 2% hours 11 3 

RED ROSETTE. 3Acts;2hours 6 3 

MISS MOSHER OF COLORADO. 4 Acts; 2\i hours.... 5 3 

STUBBORN MOTOR CAR. 3 Acts; 2 hours; 1 Stage Setting 7 4 

CEAWFORD'S CLAIM. (15 cents.) 3 Acts; 214 hours. 9 3 



I DICK & FITZGERALD, Publishers, 18 Ann Street, N. Y 




